Charter panel backs registry to protect Volusia Forever lands, rejects unanimous‑removal amendment

The Volusia County Charter Review Commission on Thursday recommended placing a charter amendment on the ballot to create a conservation‑land registry for properties acquired under the Volusia Forever program and to raise the voting threshold required to remove those lands from the registry.

The recommendation, advanced after public comment and legal briefing, would require a majority plus one of the entire county commission to approve removal, sale or transfer of any property listed on the registry. The commission rejected an amendment that would have required a unanimous vote to remove registry lands and added an explicit finding that land be "no longer needed for conservation" before removal.

Supporters framed the change as adding permanence and public accountability for lands purchased for conservation. "Land that was acquired for conservation, recreation, or cultural purposes should not be disposed of or degraded without the consent of the people who paid for it, preserved it and rely on it," said Catherine Pantay during public comment, urging the commission to mirror protections adopted in Alachua County.

County legal counsel told the commission the proposed registry follows elements of other Florida counties’ approaches but cautioned that requiring a referendum on disposition may be legally vulnerable under state statute. "Once property is on that registry ... it requires a majority plus 1 vote of the entire county council to remove it," counsel said, explaining the difference between the Alachua model and Orange County’s approach and citing Florida statutes that govern county sales of real property.

Commissioners also heard a staff presentation on how Volusia Forever selects and acquires conservation land. Nick Dunham, the county’s resource stewardship director, described Volusia Forever as a "willing seller" program in which nominations are accepted year‑round, applicants are scored against 21 criteria, eligible properties are sorted by priority, and acquisitions proceed to county council approval, due diligence and post‑acquisition management.

During debate, commissioners pressed for clarity on definitions, swaps or transfers between government entities, partner agencies’ roles in funding and surplus processes, and how vacancies or absences would affect a vote that requires the full commission. Legal counsel cited applicable statutory notice and trade provisions and noted that the registry approach can be tailored to address some of those concerns.

A roll call vote on the proposed amendment language to establish the registry—and to set the removal threshold at a majority‑plus‑one of the full commission—passed 12‑2. An attempted amendment to make removal require a unanimous vote failed by roll call, with one yes and a substantial majority voting no.

The commission will include the approved ballot language in its transmittal to county council, along with supporting findings and suggested messaging, and a drafting subcommittee will prepare the formal packet the commissioners send to the council and to the clerk for placement on the ballot.