Deltona commission advances major impact‑fee update to second reading after heated public hearing

The Deltona City Commission on June 15 voted 6‑1 to move Ordinance No. 12‑2026, an update to municipal impact fees, to a second and final reading after a lengthy presentation by city staff and consultants and multiple public comments.

The ordinance, introduced at first reading, would adopt new impact fees for police, fire‑rescue, parks and recreation, transportation (a “complete streets” approach) and a new municipal administrative fee based on a 2026 study by Raftelis Financial Consultants. Consultant Sean Ocasio told the commission the combined fully calculated fee for a single‑family dwelling would rise from about $2,937 to roughly $5,070 — an increase of about 73% on the consultant’s calculated basis — and that individual components (police, fire, parks, transportation, administration) account for the total.

Why it matters: impact fees are one‑time charges paid when a building permit is issued and are restricted to growth‑related capital projects. City staff and the consultant said the fees are intended to make new development pay its share of infrastructure and facility costs rather than shifting those costs to existing residents through taxes or deferred maintenance.

Public comment highlighted procedural and substantive disputes. Allison Root, executive officer of the VBIA, questioned whether the city had completed the two statutorily required public workshops before relying on the “extraordinary circumstances” exemption, and urged the commission to ensure all statutory steps were complete before adopting higher fees: “I would respectfully ask the commission to ensure that all statutory requirements have been completed before relying on an extraordinary circumstance exemption,” she said.

Other residents raised affordability and equity concerns. Kathy Bridal told the commission that much of the fee increase would ultimately be paid by new homebuyers: “The developers won’t eat it — the new residents moving here are going to be the ones paying,” she said. Another commenter asked why increases for fire were much larger than those for law enforcement.

Commission debate split on policy and timing. Commissioner Dory Howington argued a long gap since Deltona’s last in‑depth study (she cited 2007) left the city collecting less from growth than it should have: “If this study had been implemented before those thousand houses had been built, the city should have collected approximately $2,100,000 more,” Howington said, adding that projected new units in the pipeline equate to roughly $8,500,000 in infrastructure needs tied to future development. Commissioner Nobick and others urged adopting a finding of extraordinary circumstances to allow the city to implement the calculated fees and avoid placing the costs on existing taxpayers.

Vice Mayor Maritza Avila Vasquez and Commissioner Santiago said they were concerned about housing affordability and asked for a more gradual phase‑in. Consultant Sean Ocasio and staff said state law (the Florida Impact Fee Act) generally requires increases up to 25% be phased in over two years and increases between 25% and 50% be phased in over four years; fees above a 50% increase are capped unless the city makes a legislative finding of extraordinary circumstances at final reading. City attorney Gemma clarified that tonight’s vote was first reading only, that two workshops must occur before adoption, and that a unanimous vote at final reading is required to apply the extraordinary‑circumstances exception that would allow fees to exceed the typical cap.

Action taken: Commissioner Howington moved to approve the ordinance for a two‑year implementation; Commissioner Nobick seconded. The roll call on the motion to advance the ordinance to second reading was: Caldwell Yes; Harriott Yes; Howington Yes; Nobick Yes; Santiago No; Vice Mayor Avila Vasquez Yes; Mayor Villa Yes. The motion passed 6‑1 and the item will return for second and final reading after the city’s scheduled workshop(s).

What’s next: The ordinance proceeds to a public workshop scheduled for June 17 and will return for second and final reading at a future meeting. City attorney said a unanimous vote at final reading will be required if the commission intends to make a legislative finding of extraordinary circumstances that would permit increases above the statutory cap.