Deltona Special City Commission Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Deltona City Commission held a special meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Deltona Commission Chambers. The Commission recognized students and public works professionals, approved proclamations and presentation requests, and held the first FY 2026-27 budget workshop focused on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), capital outlay, and service enhancements. The meeting recessed for round-table discussions from 7:50 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge

• Mayor Avila called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
• Present: Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago.
• Absent: Commissioner Colwell and Commissioner Howington.
• Commissioner Heriot led the pledge of allegiance and invocation.

Presentations & Awards

• Super Star Student Awards for the fourth grading period of school year 2025/2026 were presented to students including Cash Hoffman, Hadley Bryant, Maria Victoria Via Lobos, Andrea Burgos Munoz, and Helena Gonzalez.
• Commissioner Santiago read a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week, marking the 66th annual observance sponsored by the American Public Works Association, and honoring Deltona public works professionals.

Routine Approvals (Action Items 5A & 5B)

• The Commission considered a proclamation for Deltona Pride Month, certificates of appreciation for Unidos Super Market & El Coqui Bakery to be presented at an upcoming meeting, and requests for future presentations by Family Health Source (requested by Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez) and the YMCA (requested by Commissioner Heriot).
• Commissioner Santiago moved, and Commissioner Nabicht seconded, to approve Items 5A and 5B. The motion carried 4-1: Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago voted yes; Mayor Avila voted no.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the Commission during the public comment portions for Items 5A or 5B.
• During the budget round-table discussion, public attendees were invited to visit the staff tables after commissioners completed their rotations and speak directly with department representatives.

FY 2026-27 Budget Discussion — CIP & Capital Outlay

• The Finance Director, joined by representatives from every department and division, presented preliminary FY 2026-27 budget parameters.
• Approximately $2 million annually is available for stormwater, and approximately $3 million from local option gas tax is available for street resurfacing, sidewalk infill, and roadway improvements. Interagency revenues were not yet known until June through mid-to-late July, and items remained subject to rate and fee studies, the July maximum millage decision, final September millage rates, and possible debt financing.
• Staff provided an overview of nearly $35 million in total capital improvements, including general fund requests over $1 million; parks $4 million; transportation $5.5 million; water/wastewater utility $6.5 million; and stormwater just under $18 million over the next two years. Capital replacement needs totaled $6.35 million, and service enhancements totaled $617,000.
• Commissioners rotated through staff tables for seven minutes each, covering general construction, parks, transportation, water and sewer, stormwater, capital outlay/fleet, and enhancements. The Commission recessed at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened at 8:00 p.m., after which members of the public visited the tables and spoke with staff.

Fee Studies, Special Assessments, and Impact Fees

• Water/wastewater fee increases for the next four years were already included through Resolution 2026-24.
• A fire assessment fee proposal will be brought to the June workshop; staff is recommending a fee covering operations, capital outlay, and future fire CIP needs. Transport fees cannot be included because insurance companies are billed directly.
• Impact fee changes under House Bill 1329 were discussed: proposed increases above 51 percent could be capped at a 50 percent increase. Staff planned public workshops on June 8 (morning) and June 15 (afternoon), with a first reading on June 15 and second reading on June 22, to act before July 1.
• Special assessment updates: stormwater assessment is proposed to rise from $190 to $210 per year; solid waste assessment is currently $235 per year with county landfill tipping fees increasing 7.98%; street lighting assessments are expected to rise at least 5%; and the Lake McGardy assessment was reduced from $90 to $30 and is expected to remain at least $30.
• The Finance Director also discussed the potential for a bank loan to accelerate stormwater projects, noting construction costs could rise 40-50 percent if delayed seven to eight years.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission approved the Deltona Pride Month proclamation, the two certificates of appreciation, and the Family Health Source and YMCA presentation requests by a 4-1 vote.
• The first FY 2026-27 CIP/capital outlay workshop was completed; no formal budget decisions were made.
• Staff will compile commissioner and public questions into an FAQ, provide it to commissioners, and refer department requests to grant writers for possible grant funding.
• Further budget workshops are planned for June and July, including fire assessment and impact fee discussions, with a special meeting proposed for Monday, June 22, 2026.
• City Manager comments were none; the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.