- April 24, 2024
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County Council Chair Jeff Brower delivers the 2022 State of the County address at the Ocean Center on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kevin Captain, Volusia County director of community information, welcomes around 425 people to the 2022 State of the County address. Photo bu Jarleene Almenas
Brower said he's more hopeful today about the future of Volusia than he was a year ago. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Marine Corps League Capt. "Tiger" Mayberry Detachment 658 present the colors at the 2022 State of the County address on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Stony Sixma and Brad Nicholson perform a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
After his speech, Chair Jeff Brower invited his fellow council members to join him onstage. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Last year, when Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower delivered the State of the County address, he was weeks into his first term, but he was still full of optimism for the future of Volusia County.
At his second State of the County address on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Brower said that sentiment has only grown stronger.
"If anything, I'm even more hopeful and excited today because there's a lot of work ahead with great opportunities for us to make Volusia County the very best place to live, work and play," Brower said.
About 425 people attended the annual luncheon at the Ocean Center, where the county highlighted its achievements for 2021. The theme of the event, "A year of change," was referenced in Brower's speech as well as in the video presentation featuring the rest of the council members.
The best achievements, said Brower, are the result of government, businesses and the community working together, and he urged multiple times for people to get involved n local issues and not fear conversations with those who may have opposing views.
"It's no secret that [the County Council] had some rough spots getting started last year, but as the months have gone on .... I believe that you have seen a council emerge that is better at working together for the common good and goals of our community," Brower said.
So what changes did Volusia County see in 2021?
For starters, it was the year that Amendment 10 took effect, and despite a long legal battle which the county eventually lost, county staff earned a 2021 Best Practices Award from the Florida Association of Counties for their transition process with the new constitutional officers.
The video presentation mentioned the county's $26 million public safety radio system upgrade, approved last summer, which is replacing its existing 30-year-old system for more reliable communication.
Improvements to the county's emergency management system included signing and retention bonuses — $4,500 for new paramedics and $5,000 for current paramedics — as well as $2,000 retention bonuses for emergency medical technicians. In other personnel-related actions, a collective bargaining agreement was also reached with the corrections officers union, granting them a $2,000 retention bonus.
The ECHO and Volusia Forever programs were renewed by voters and are now seeking new projects to fund. In 2021, the county utilized ECHO Historic acquisition/stabilization grant program dollars to purchase a 36-acre parcel of land along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail for preservation, and Brower said the land will ultimately house a new trail.
"We're known around the world for the Loop," he said. "Today, I am asking landowners in the Loop to join our efforts in creating a safe hiking and biking trail along the west side of the popular Old Dixie Highway. ... What a legacy that would be to leave your community."
Other changes include the completion of the Daytona Beach International Airport's terminal renovations, a $4 million federal economic development grant which the county said will result in 360 new jobs and a $150 million private investment, the confirmation of 11 new directors within county ranks and a $3 million stormwater treatment project meant to improve water quality in the Mosquito Lagoon.
Clean water, affordable housing and reopening the beach were points Brower honed in as he concluded his address.
The county is growing rapidly, he said, and responsible decisions that will determine quality of life for generations to come must be made together. He asked local builders and developers to make affordable housing a reality in Volusia County, and vowed to work with the council to simplify zoning laws to facilitate this effort.
"We cannot and we will not pave our way and clear-cut our way to a better future," Brower said. "We will not end up like many congested Florida regions that have given up local priorities to preserve and protect their quality of life with an eye-focus solely on immediate profit. We already know that growth does not pay for itself. It merely hands a bill to the next generation."
Brower issued three goals for the county as a collective to work on in 2022: Protect and improve local water quality, lower the tax burden on citizens while increasing revenue sources to keep the county affordable, and for every beach approach to be open to citizens without an extra cost, as Brower argued residents already pay for the beach with their property taxes.
“I am confident that this County Council will work diligently and respectfully this year," Brower said. "You can imagine that everything I just mentioned, not everybody in the council agrees with. Not everybody in this room agrees with it, but what we can expect, and what I expect, is that we will work with each other with respect and with a commitment to all of you for seven very independent people to hash out the very best possible policies for all of you to make Volusia County the best play to live, work and play.”
Editor's note: This story was updated at 2:43 p.m. to clarify that it was a $4 million federal economic development grant which the county said will result in 360 new jobs and a $150 million private investment, not the airport terminal's renovation.
