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DeBary council approves five‑year, $20,000‑a‑year commitment to DeLand Bridge homeless services
Summary
The City of DeBary voted to contribute $20,000 annually for five years to the DeLand Bridge initiative, citing regional capacity to provide meals, housing assistance and job services for unhoused residents; council members noted the nonprofit does not track how many clients originate in DeBary.
The City of DeBary City Council voted to commit $20,000 annually for five years to the DeLand Bridge initiative, a DeLand‑operated homeless services program that provides meals, transitional housing help and job placement assistance.
City Manager (speaker 2) described the Bridge as a regional resource serving West Volusia and said the program has, over the last five years, moved more than 300 clients into transitional housing, helped about 400 clients find work and served roughly 115,000 meals while relying on volunteers. "The Bridge provides regional service, whereby homeless individuals can be transported from DeBary and other West Volusia cities," the city manager said during the council presentation.
The council discussed whether the program tracks how many clients are DeBary residents; staff said the Bridge’s reports do not keep an exact statistical count of transport origins. Council member Veil asked how many West Volusia cities participate; the manager answered that multiple neighboring cities contribute and that the program operates as a shared regional resource.
Vice Mayor Butland moved the funding motion and Council member Papalardo seconded. Vice Mayor Butland said, "I'll make a motion to approve the commitment to fund the city of DeLand Bridge initiative for a 5 for another 5 years at $20,000 annually," and the motion passed with Vice Mayor Butland, Council member Papalardo, Council member Sowell and Mayor Chazet voting yes.
The contribution continues an arrangement the council said began with a five‑year commitment approved in 2017 and first funded in 2020. City staff said DeBary’s annual contribution has been $20,000 and recommended continuing that level of support.
Next procedural step: the funding commitment was approved as a council motion during the special meeting; no further votes on this item were recorded in the minutes provided.
