Charter panel approves updated ballot language for Volusia Forever conservation registry after debate

The Volusia County Charter Review Commission approved updated ballot language for the county’s conservation-land registry (known locally as the Volusia Forever program) at its April meeting, voting 10–4 to include notice and documentation requirements in the proposed amendment.

The language — described by county staff as adding a 30-day prior-notice requirement, a legal description of any parcel proposed for delisting and a statement explaining why the property is no longer necessary for conservation purposes — was approved after commissioners debated how far the charter can go beyond state law.

"Your primary changes are that you have to have 30 days prior; the big thing is the legal description of the property that's being delisted, and a statement explaining why the property is no longer necessary for conservation purposes," said Giff, a county staff member explaining the revisions.

The measure drew…