- December 15, 2025
After several hours of discussion, the Port Orange City Council was able to set the 2019 fiscal year maximum millage rate at 4.8157 and the debt at .2923.
The decision, made during the Tuesday, July 17, City Council meeting, came after council members spent much of the time talking about what changes could be made in the police and fire departments. The majority of council members were in favor of adding three police officers, along with gear and equipment, but when it came to adding a crime analyst there were questions about funding.
However, Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi said he would be willing to move department items around and reallocate money in addition to putting off certain training to bring in a crime analyst.
"It's something that I believe we need. I think it's something that gives us the ability to allocate our resources properly and more effectively and more efficiently with that," Grimaldi said.
Fire Department
The fire department is requesting four firefighters as well as the addition of an ambulance. Mayor Don Burnette said that he wants more pressure put on the county when it comes to EVAC units being sent out.
"I feel like the county’s fallen down on the job," Burnette said.
Vice Mayor Scott Stiltner said he previously met with council members Billie Wheeler and Deb Denys and watched the force monitor to see all of the ambulances in real time. Stiltner said that he could see large gaps in the county when it came to responses. When it came to hiring extra firefighters and adding an ambulance, Stiltner made it clear where he stood, saying that public safety in the community should always be the city's number one priority.
Siltner also compared Port Orange to other cities that already have their own ambulance.
"South Daytona, New Smyrna, Ponce Inlet, they have already started their ambulance program, and they have responded several times into our city to take care of our residents because EVAC wasn't coming and EVAC isn't available," Stiltner said. "That doesn't sit well with me, that doesn't say to me that this council has done everything it can do to hold public safety as the number one most important part."
Councilman Bob Ford said that he believes the county is meeting national standards when it comes to response times and questioned the commentary happening Tuesday night.
"Are we cherry picking incidents?" Ford asked, adding, "I still have yet to have any data given to me that disputes that the county is not delivering reasonable services."
Burnett said the topic of additional fire services would need to be revisited, and council members suggested Ford find data to help in the decision of adding an ambulance. But the final decision is still up for debate.
"I hope we're not divided," Stiltner said.
Yorktowne extension
Conservationist Derek LaMontagne and several other residents came before the City Council to voice their frustrations over the proposed Yorktowne extension and why it should either be stopped or changed. According to LaMontagne, stopping or changing the extension would protect Horizon Elementary School children from noise and air pollution and would keep Sweetwater Canal and Spruce Creek healthy.
LaMontagne explained that other goals include saving the city money, preventing flooding risk, alleviating transportation problems and preserving the natural habitat. It's these concerns that have led some residents to form a petition against the extension. There were about 100 signatures on the petition at the end of May.
The current proposed plan for the Yorktowne extension is to construct the road through a piece of property that sits east of Williamson, south of Willow Run, West of Chardonnay Lane and north of Yorktowne. Between Chardonnay and the road, there would be stormwater ponds. The city is proposing the extension act as a right turn off Yorktowne and traveling north along the far east side of the property to Willow Run, where motorists would be able to make a right or left-hand turn.
