Council sends five charter amendments, including Volusia Forever changes, to November ballot after heated public debate

Volusia County Council voted unanimously June 16 to place five charter amendments recommended by the county's Charter Review Commission on the November ballot after a third and final public hearing that drew dozens of speakers.

Deputy County Attorney Russ Brown reviewed the amendments, which cover multiple charter topics; the public hearing focused largely on the fifth amendment, which would change the vote threshold and add registry and notice requirements for transfers or sales of lands held in the county's Volusia Forever conservation program. Supporters described the measure as strengthening protections, and opponents warned about a subsection (not included in ballot text) that exempts county public‑purpose use from some requirements.

Speakers in the chamber and from the public record offered opposing views. Commissioner Amy Munzi, who served on the Charter Review Commission, described the commission’s broad and bipartisan deliberations and said the package reflected careful study. Katherine Pante and Suzanne Shyber, conservation advocates, warned that subsection 3 of the proposed language could allow the county to repurpose conservation land for public purposes without the notice or vote protections voters would expect. John Nicholson and others urged the council to give voters stronger protections, including a referendum requirement.

Council members expressed a range of views but explained the limited role of the council at this stage: under the charter process the commission’s proposals must be placed on the ballot, where voters decide. Councilman David Santiago moved to adopt the resolution placing the CRC package on the ballot; Vice Chair Matt Reinhardt seconded and the motion carried 6–0.

After that vote, Councilman Jeff Brower introduced a separate competing measure that would require a unanimous council vote for changes to Volusia Forever lands. That proposal prompted additional public debate and legal concerns raised by staff and members. Councilman Santiago moved to table the competing item indefinitely; the motion passed on a 4–2 roll call (Reinhardt, Robbins, Santiago, Dempsey yes; Kent, Brower no), effectively removing the competing measure from consideration for now.

Next steps: the charter amendments recommended by the commission will appear on the November ballot. Council and staff also discussed options — including an immediate county ordinance — to strengthen management and notice procedures for conservation lands while the ballot campaign unfolds.