- July 15, 2026
Growth and development: Those are the issues Ormond Beach City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland hears about most consistently from residents.
"Our community has seen minimal yearly growth, 1-2%, but we have felt the impact of our neighboring communities," Tolland said. "Residents note traffic congestion as the biggest impact on their quality of life. Preserving our precious green space ranks high with residents as well."
Much of the proposed westward development that will impact Ormond is in the City of Daytona Beach, with the exception of Ormond Crossing, a residential and commercial development near the I-95 and U.S 1 interchange, which was approved in the early 2000s.
Tolland, who represents Zone 1 on the commission, recently participated in a Q+A with the Observer on issues including development, tax reform, tree preservation and the city's proposed tax rate.
What are some things you think the city is doing well for its residents, and what are some things you think can be improved?
I believe Ormond Beach provides a high quality of life through our parks and sports facilities, recreation programs for our youth, vibrant downtown and unique restaurants, historical preservation, and our gardens and art museums. Ormond has thoughtful development standards that preserve our unique charm. There is emphasis on environmental sustainability and there is a beautiful lake system and green space centrally located. Residents enjoy reliable public services such as road maintenance and water and utilities management, and of course our public safety.
While Ormond Beach is an amazing city, there is always room for improvement. I believe working to continue to address traffic flow is important as well as keeping it safe for our pedestrians and cyclists. We need to continue to find ways to protect our natural resources. Residents have also stated the need to address code enforcement within the city. It is my hope to advocate for the residents while staying compliant with state statute.
With Ormond Crossings on the horizon, how can the city best prepare to ensure needed infrastructure is in place?
Ormond Crossings has been in the making for over 20 years. It is important that the city ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with the development to better protect our residents. New construction can occur only when the roads, water, sewer, stormwater, and public safety support it. It will require collaboration, responsible phasing, and making sure that new development contributes its fair share of costs.
Ormond Beach has been a tree city for a long time. What are some standards that help maintain that designation, and should the city strengthen protections for greenbelt buffers? If so, what could that look like?
The city of Ormond Beach has enjoyed the designation of Tree City USA since 1991. This means there is a commitment to sound urban forestry and care for its public trees. The city spends funds maintaining trees on city grounds, celebrates Arbor Day while promoting sustainable plant and tree education. The city recently studied and adopted protections for tree preservation and increased use of native plants.
The governor recently signed a law allowing local governments to regulate AI data centers. Is this something the city should explore, and if so, how should they be regulated?
Data centers may be appropriate in some communities but are not compatible with Ormond Beach’s vision. There are significant drawbacks associated with data centers, particularly as it relates to land, electricity, and water. I support keeping data centers out of our community and support policies that promote businesses that enhance our economy while respecting our environment.
With tax reform on the ballot, what are some priorities you'd like for the city to keep in mind as it plans the budget for next fiscal year? Is going flat the right decision for the tax rate?
Keeping our property tax rate flat is an important commitment to the residents because it reflects responsible stewardship of our taxpayer dollars. Prioritizing public safety, infrastructure investments, and protecting our natural resources and parks rank high. The budget conversation should focus on essential services with fiscal responsibility, while maintaining our quality of life.
Is there an update you can share about the median issue at Prince of Peace Catholic Church?
Due to persistence and the desire to find resolution, Prince of Peace demonstrated what can be accomplished when church, city, and county can work together. The county maintained the median provided safety, while the church desired a left turn access point. With the help of Alann Engineering, a design giving left turn access was presented and accepted by the church and now waiting final approval from city, county, and St. Johns River Water Management District. If all goes as planned, construction should occur in September.
You were first elected in 2022. What are some things you're proud to have accomplished, and what are some things you'd like to continue working on?
Since being elected in 2022, I am most proud of working collaboratively to protect our character while addressing our future needs. I have worked with my fellow commissioners to keep our taxes low while maintaining our quality of life. Ormond Beach has consistently remained the second lowest milage rate in Volusia County. I am proud to consistently support public safety while addressing recruitment and retention. While serving on the County Stormwater Mitigation and Flooding subcommittee, I am proud to have been a part of the solution addressing and funding regional projects helping our community. Having served the city through the parks and recreation advisory board for over twenty years, I understood the needs and the challenges of our leisure services programs and championed dedicated funds to maintain excellence. I am also quite pleased to have served on the Opioid Abatement Committee, dispersing funds to programs that support recovery. I was particularly thrilled to be a part of Narcan distribution in areas of need. Lastly, I am honored to have been part of a collaborative effort for resiliency highlighting native plants in Cassen Park.
I would like to continue to work on keeping Ormond Beach financially strong while preserving the character that makes our town so special. I also want to continue to listen to residents and make thoughtful, balanced decisions that keep Ormond Beach a safe, beautiful, and desirable place to live, work and play.
