- October 21, 2024
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Three Ormond Beach City Commission incumbents have been reelected without opposition.
City Commissioners Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley — who represent Zone 1, 2 and 4, respectively — were reelected on Friday, June 14, after no other candidates filed for their seats by the end of the 2024 elections qualifying period. They will all serve a second two-year term on the commission, as they were all first elected in 2022.
Tolland, a local registered nurse, said she's enjoyed serving the citizens on the commission and looks forward to a doing so for another term.
"I've been very grateful for the last two years working with the present commission," Tolland said. "I think we've done a lot of good work and we have a lot of good work ahead us."
Some of the issues she's looking to continue to advocate for in her next term include native plants to address sustainability and resilience, water quality improvements, particularly concerning decreasing effluent into the Halifax River, and continuing to fight the proposed fuel terminal at 874 Hull Road.
She congratulated Sargent and Briley for their reelection and said that the fact all three ran unopposed is a sign they have the trust of the community.
"I'd like to think that just means it's a vote of confidence in the work that we're doing," Tolland said.
Sargent, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, has worked in insurance for over two decades. In a statement to the Observer, Sargent said he's "honored to be a voice for the residents in Zone 2."
"It’s a great day for Ormond Beach residents and businesses because they have the assurance today that a majority of the commission will be back for an encore the next two years," Sargent said. "The attentive, responsive policy that this commission has done will continue and I think that’s a very positive day for our city."
Briley, who works as a real estate agent for Realty Pros Assured, thanked residents for their support.
"It's an honor and a privilege to serve as City Commissioner in Ormond Beach, and in Zone 4," Briley said. "It's very rewarding."
He's looking forward to continue some of the ongoing city projects and initiatives, as well as continue to advocate against the construction of the fuel farm. One of the past initiatives he's proud of is the creation of a Citizens Academy, which celebrated the graduation of its first class last month.
Briley said continuing to address concerns over development pressures is also on the to-do list for the next term.
"How we address that will certainly be a challenge for this upcoming commission, but I think working together, we can solve a lot of things," Briley said.
Two Ormond Beach City Commission races will be decided by voters this season: The mayoral race and the Zone 3 race.
Running for mayor are Susan Persis, who currently represents Zone 3 on the City Commission, and local businessman Jason Leslie.
The Zone 3 seat has three candidates: Barbara Bonarrigo, a local manufacturing company CEO; Kristin Deaton, a sales manager with Guild Morgage; and Daniel Dragone, a new candidate who filed to run on Monday, June 10. They will head to the primary election on Aug. 20.
This story was updated at 5:22 p.m. to correct the company for which Harold Briley works. A previous version of this article reported he was a real estate agent with Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors.
