Deltona City Commission Regular Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Deltona City Commission held its regular meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025, starting with a public forum from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by the business meeting at 6:30 PM in the Deltona Commission Chambers. Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. presided, with all seven commissioners present (Commissioner Heriot participated virtually until 9:02 PM). The meeting covered presentations, budget amendments, investment policies, flood mitigation projects, a forensic audit debate, a development moratorium challenge, and other administrative items. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous vote (7-0): Items B (Resolution 2025-166 opening an investment account with FLCLASS), D (Resolution 2025-160 Elkcam Boulevard flood mitigation agreement with Volusia County), E (Resolution 2025-163 FDEM residential home elevation agreement), F (Resolution 2025-164 Pegasus Engineering grant management for $36,935), J (Resolution 2025-172 John Peters settlement agreement), and K (minutes of November 17, 2025 meeting).
• Items A (investment policy), C (Lake Sweet Gum project), G (budget amendment), H (City Hall windows/doors), and I (fire service assessment) were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fire service assessment (7-I): Resident David Sosa called it a new tax and argued the city should conduct a forensic audit before adding more revenue. Another resident demanded a workshop before any rate-setting, noting the fire department already consumes a large portion of ad valorem taxes. The speaker also criticized the lack of public discussion.
• Lake Sweet Gum project (7-C): Resident Courtney Crossbrowers expressed confusion over why the project was pulled, stating it benefits both Twin Lakes and the city, and urged approval (the item was later approved).
• Forensic audit (9-B): Multiple residents spoke, including Dave Markle, Matthew Borgins, David Sosa, and Albert Bryan, all strongly supporting a forensic audit. They cited concerns about transparency, misallocated funds, a previous IRS issue, and trust in city leadership. Some suggested using funds from the SB 180 litigation reserve. Courtney Crossbrowers said she did not believe anyone was stealing but would support an audit if the public wanted it, though she urged narrowing the scope to save money.
• Development moratorium (10-B): Residents John McCulley and Matilda Morbido urged the commission not to bow to developer pressure, arguing the moratorium was legal and necessary to protect their neighborhood from a proposed PRUD. Tim Blader and Matthew Morgans also supported leaving the moratorium in place, noting the ongoing impact fee study. Another resident, speaking on the developer’s letter, warned that ignoring the 14-day safe harbor clock could be risky.

Discussion Items

• 7-A Investment Policy (Resolution 2025-153): Commissioner Colwell noted differences from the 2020 policy, including removal of language requiring an external investment manager and quarterly reports to the commission. The finance director confirmed the policy was drafted by Chandler Asset Management and that the city still uses an outside advisor. Commissioners asked for quarterly reporting and a presentation from the investment advisor. A motion to table the item until the next regular meeting passed 7-0, allowing staff to revise the policy.
• 7-C Lake Sweet Gum Stormwater Drawdown (Resolution 2025-159): The project installs a permanent pump station on city-owned land to mitigate flooding in the Twin Lakes area. Commissioners discussed its potential to augment reclaimed water and help the city’s Consumptive Use Permit (CUP). No public opposition. Approved 7-0.
• 7-G First Quarter Budget Amendment FY 2025-2026 (Resolution 2025-155): The amendment reallocated $504,000 in park funds from several parks (Keysville, Festival, Manny Rodriguez, Harris Saxon, Hoffman) to Lakeshore and Veterans parks. Commissioner Howington objected to reducing Harris Saxon funding, as residents were promised $2 million for that park. Commissioner Harriot also expressed discomfort with moving funds before final cost estimates. After extended discussion, the original motion to table failed, and a revised motion was made to adopt the amendment with the removal of Fund 302 (parks fund) and excluding the FY24/25 adjustment. Approved 7-0.
• 7-H Install New Windows and Doors at City Hall (Resolution 2025-171): Low bid of $679,350 exceeded the $440,575 budget, requiring a $274,775 allocation from general fund, water/sewer, and building department. Approved 7-0.
• 7-I Fire Service Assessment Intent (Resolution 2025-170): The resolution affirms the city’s intent to use a uniform non-ad valorem assessment for fire services, with rates to be determined later. The finance director explained the assessment would replace a portion of ad valorem revenue and that a study by Benesch will present options in May 2026. Commissioners noted the assessment would affect disabled veterans and other groups; possible rebate programs were mentioned. Approved 6-0 (Commissioner Heriot disconnected).
• 9-A Ordinance Review Committee Appointment: Mayor Avila appointed Dorothy Bier from a list of applicants. Approved 6-0.
• 9-B City Commission Forensic Audit RFP ¥25020: The RFP received nine responses but only one responsive bid from Carr,Rigs & Ingream for $1.325 million, far exceeding the $500,000 budget. Commissioner Santiago initially moved to reject the bid and use the funds for stormwater; that motion failed 3-3 (Mayor Avila, Nabicht, Santiago for; Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Colwell, Howington against). Commissioner Howington then moved to reject the bids and direct staff to negotiate a modified scope with CRI not exceeding $500,000. The finance director suggested a narrowed scope could focus on policies and recent years. After further discussion, the motion carried 5-2 (Mayor Avila and Santiago opposed).- 10-A Update on Damian Anson vs. City of Deltona: The city won summary judgment. The city attorney recommended waiving attorney fees (esimated $150-200,000) in exchange for plaintiffs waiving appeal rights. The commission concured unaniously up provivision that it includs a non-disparagement agreement.
• 10-B Developmenet Moratorium and Howland Holdings Group Letter: The developer’s attorney claimed the moratorium violates SB 180. The city attorney presented two options: declare the ordinance void ab initio or take no action. After public comment, Commissioner Santiago motiond to cancel the moratorium; it failed 3-3 (Avila, Nabicht, Santiago for; Avila-Vazquez, Colwell, Howington against). No further action was taken, leaving the moratorium in place until its March 2026 experation.
• Additional Items:
  • Commissioner Nabicht requested a public forum by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office on AI cyber crimes, citing a personal victimization. The commission concured.
  • Commissioner Nabicht motioned to create a one-time paid holiday on December 26, 2025 for all city employees. Motion passed 6-0 after a resident comment.
  • Commissioner Howington informed the commission of a resident offering to donate a half-acre lakefront property for a conservation pocket park with a dock. The commission agreed to have staff perform due diligence and return with costs.

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Decisions:
  • Consent Calendar items B, D, E, F, J, K approved 7-0.
  • Investment policy tabled for revision (7-0).
  • Lake Sweet Gum project approved (7-0).
  • Budget amendment approved with removal of Fund 302 (7-0).
  • City Hall windows project approved (7-0).
  • Fire service assessment intent approved (6-0).
  • Ordinance Review Committee appointment approved (6-0).
  • Forensic audit bids rejected; staff directed to negotiate with CRI on modified scope within $500,000 budget (5-2).
  • Anson case settlement concured (6-0).
  • Development moratorium challenge: motion to void failed (3-3); no action taken.
  • December 26 holiday approved (6-0).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • Investment policy to be revised and brought back in January 2026.
  • Budget amendment parks reallocations to be revisited in January 2026 meeting.
  • Forensic audit scope to be refined by staff and returned for a final vote at the next regular meeting (January 2026).
  • Executive sessions to be scheduled for CBA, Howland Station, and Bert Harris claim.
  • Staff to begin due diligence on donated pocket park.
  • VSO cyber crimes public forum to be arranged.
• Resolutions Adopted: 2025-159, 2025-155 (as amended), 2025-171, 2025-170, 2025-166, 2025-160, 2025-163, 2025-164, 2025-172.