- June 4, 2026
As Ormond Beach begins to prepare its next fiscal year's budget, affordability is a top priority for Ormond Beach City Commissioner Kristin Deaton.
"We have to keep our taxes low for people on fixed incomes," she said. "Of course, the challenge is maintaining all our great services at the same time. Every dollar we collect from a senior on a fixed income or retiree living their golden years in our great community is a dollar they can’t spend on the things important at their kitchen table. I’m very mindful of this."
Deaton, who represents Zone 3 on the commission, recently participated in a Q+A with the Observer on issues including the budget, code enforcement and recent commission decisions. Here is what she said.
What are some things you think the city is doing well for its residents, and what are some things you think can be improved?
Our services are exceptional. From our parks and activities for residents of all ages, Ormond Beach is the tip of the spear on providing welcoming communal spaces. We must always work more on infrastructure and keeping up with our road repairs, sidewalks, and paving. This is a city-wide issue that could use more focus.
You were vocal about the importance of cleaning up the buffer between Walmart and Granada Boulevard. Are you satisfied with the progress? Why was that important to you as a city official?
The homeless problems, poor landscaping and trash problems along a major entry point to our city were unacceptable to me and most of the commission. Walmart needed approval to do something new, and it was our best and only chance to hold their feet to the fire to improve our gateway, of which they are a significant part of. The progress so far looks great in my opinion.
In February, you asked the city to increase lighting and signage at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. Can you give an update on this?
We had been asked several times to get lighting on fields 11 and 12 at the sports complex so that additional sports could safely use them in the evening hours. After an instance where first responders were needed at the sports complex fields, and they couldn’t quickly find the proper fields, I realized better signage was needed, prompting my request. Underground electrical for the lights is underway, and the lighting project is anticipated to be complete this fall.
You voted against the Tomoka Reserve development despite the looming lawsuit from the developers. What factors contributed toward your decision?
When I ran for this seat two years ago, my slogan was, “putting our residents first.” I stand by that today just as I did two years ago. It’s no secret that I am not scared of a challenge. I was fighting for my community. Tomoka Oaks deserved for me to make a credible argument and vote no on both votes.
The governor recently signed a law allowing local governments to regulate AI data centers. What are your thoughts on this issue?
I have actually proposed from the dais that we ban all data centers in Ormond Beach. Legal is bringing this matter back to us on a future agenda. AI is the future for all of us whether we like it or not, but I am not a fan of draining our local resources to support a data center.
During an April workshop, city staff outlined the need to add staff to its Neighborhood Improvement Division to, hopefully, be able to be more proactive in code enforcement in the future. Do you see code enforcement concerns in your zone? And if so, which ones are the most common?
Code enforcement in our city is definitely a concern of many residents. Admittedly, Zone 3 doesn’t seem to have as many of these problems as other parts of the city, but we are a team and we have to look out for all residents, so this will continue to be a focus of mine, even if not specific to Zone 3.
As budget season kicks off, what are some line items and projects you think should be a priority for the upcoming fiscal year?
My top priority is going flat for this years’ property taxes, meaning no millage increases. I set this precedence with staff going into all my capital improvement and budget meetings. Affordability is a primary concern for so many, and I want to be protective of all of the tax dollars our city generates so as to use them properly and keep taxing and spending to a minimum.
