- April 26, 2024
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County Council Chair Jeff Brower delivers the 2023 State of the County address on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Community Information Director Kevin Captain shows off the State of the County brochure during the event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Demetrius Williamson, of Faith Covenant Church of Daytona Beach, delivers an invocation at the State of the County event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048 present the colors at the State of the County event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Bob Adkins, of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048, salutes the flag as the national anthem is sung during the State of the County event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Faith Neal, 16, of Daytona Beach, sings the national anthem during the State of the County event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
County Council Chair Jeff Brower congratulates Faith Neal during the State of the County event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
In his address, County Council Chair Jeff Brower stressed the importance of working together to address the challenges the county faces, particularly those relating to water quality. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower acknowledges his fellow councilmen: Matt Reinhart, Jake Johansson, Troy Kent, David Santiago and Danny Robins.
Every action taken by the Volusia County Council moving forward — whether that be spending priorities, zoning or land use changes — must prioritize water quality, Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower said during the 2023 State of the County address on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
"I believe this must be the council's top priority going forward," he said. "Rushing forward in this current growth cycle with the hope technology will catch up sometime down the road should not be an option. Assuming our growth patterns are not contributing to our current dilemma is not credible or responsible. This is our opportunity to make meaningful changes."
Brower's speech, delivered to a crowd of over 500 people at the Ocean Center's ballroom, also focused on the county's ongoing recovery from hurricanes Ian and Nichole, as well as the need to work together at the local, state and federal level. It was his third address as council chair.
The State of the County address was the first for its recently-sworn in council members, the majority of whom Brower said ran on a platform favoring responsible growth.
"This council has an opportunity, and I believe they are absolutely serious," Brower said. "They have an opportunity to take a noble place in Volusia County history where we can work together as a team to deliver on these important promises that all of you care about."
Similar to recent years, the address began with a video highlighting county's challenges, achievements and milestones from the past year.
Regarding water quality projects, County Councilman Danny Robins highlighted the over $1 million of assistance provided to homeowners with septic tanks within the DeLeon Springs basin, thanks to a partnership between the county and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
"Water is one of those issues that extends across jurisdictional boundaries," Robins said in the video address.
Additionally, three miles of central water and sewer lines are being built along U.S. Highway 17 from DeLand through the business corridor in DeLeon Springs, expansions are being made to the utility plants in DeBary and Oak Hill, and a wastewater treatment facility was completed in Edgewater.
The video address also highlighted the new nature trail in Plantation Oaks, which is the first leg of a larger trail the county plans to extend north to Ormond Tomb Park; and recent land acquisitions made possible thanks to Volusia Forever, such as the 19 acres purchased for conservation near Riverbend Nature Park.
The county also mentioned the addition of 41 new public safety positions, two new fire trucks, the relocation of two fire stations, essential work stations for EMS and the groundbreaking for the new medical examiner's facility.
"And it's not just about the safety of our people," Robins said. "The well-being of animals is also a high priority. During Hurricane Ian, our Animal Services staff rescued more than 70 animals."
To view the address, visit https://bit.ly/41w7kHF.
Volusia's natural resources, the county's economic development community and the local colleges mean the county is "well equipped to offer our businesses and prospective new businesses an ideal place to grow and prosper," Brower said during his speech.
The challenge lies within keeping the county a place entrepreneurs and business owners want to call home, while keeping it as a tourism destination, Brower said.
"So, how do we do that?" he said. "The simple answer is we must all work together to make Volusia County the place we love making our home, but as it usually goes — it's hard. ... The hard reality is this absolutely requires this council working together as a team for the goals and desires you all share with us."
It also means the council needs to work with its 16 municipalities, Brower added.
As the county continues to recover from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, described as "two crushing blows" by Brower, cooperation has to take place in order to navigate bureaucracy at the state and federal level.
"We need to encourage the state agencies to work together to help us build and rebuild through the summer months before we get too far into the next hurricane season," Brower said. "Volusia County is dedicated to that service, but then we must take up a monumental task of changing and reducing those bureaucracies to conform to our needs here at home. We need a plan that just doesn't cross our own departments, but state and federal departments and agencies. I know that sounds impossible, but it is tragedies like these that fuel the energy and desire to make real positive changes."
It is also a time to ask some hard questions, he continued. Should homes be built further west away from the beach? Should development only occur on the west side of A1A?
"These hurricanes were a wake-up call that business as usual just can't continue," Brower said. "They revealed our vulnerability with pinpoint accuracy. While painful, what we experienced is a gift of knowledge. We can't ignore it."
Now is the time to question and sort out how and where future development occurs, Brower said.
We all have private property rights, he added. But, there has to be a balance.
"It will require a community conversation, study, research, and courage, once again, to make the necessary decisions," he said. "This is not about going backwards. This is not a call for us to have an argument between the development community, attorneys, and homeowners and builders. This — please hear me — this is a call for all of us to come together to work."
