Special City Commission Meeting - June 22, 2026

The Deltona City Commission held a special meeting on June 22, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 7:32 PM, addressing consent agenda items, a public hearing on impact fee updates, and a budget workshop on special assessments. The meeting saw significant debate on the phased implementation of updated impact fees and the introduction of a potential fire assessment fee.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4-A, 4-E, 4-F (Approved 4-3): Approved Resolution No. 2026-47 supporting an ECHO Grant application for Keysville Park improvements; Resolution No. 2026-51 accepting a warranty deed for a property west of Captain Drive; and an in-kind donation of The Center at Deltona for the Volusia County Hispanic Association’s 30th Anniversary Gala. Vote: Mayor Avila, Commissioners Heriot, Nabicht, Santiago in favor; Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioners Colwell, Howington opposed.
• Item 4-B (Approved 6-1): Approved a reduction of accrued fines from $27,050 to $9,000 for property owner Sharma Taylor, based on the Special Magistrate’s recommendation and city costs of $7,500. Commissioner Colwell voted against.
• Item 4-C (Approved 6-1): Approved Resolution No. 2026-48 authorizing foreclosure of a municipal lien at 271 Fort Smith Blvd., with total fines of $54,450. The property is non-homesteaded and has not been sold. Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez voted against.
• Item 4-D (Approved 7-0): Approved Resolution No. 2026-50 authorizing legal representation in Donald Eugene Mair v. City of Deltona (Case No. 2026-12156 CIDL), as the city’s insurance carrier denied coverage.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alison Root (Volusia Building Industry Association) expressed concerns that the city’s use of the extraordinary circumstances process for impact fees may not comply with Florida Statute 163.31801, noting the city had not increased impact fees in approximately 10 years. She urged the commission to ensure statutory requirements are met and to consider housing affordability.
• Michelle Delaney (Volusia Building Industry Association) read statutory limitations on impact fee increases, requesting the commission to review findings and reconsider the increase.
• Tim Blogic praised the finance director’s budget presentation as thorough and taxpayer-conscious.
• Brandy White questioned whether the fire assessment would be implemented regardless of the homestead exemption ballot outcome, and requested detailed cost-per-capita comparisons for fire services under current property taxes versus the proposed assessment. She noted a lack of public information on the fire fee study.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance No. 12-2026 (Impact Fee Update, Second Reading): The ordinance updates Fire/Rescue, Parks and Recreation, Transportation (renamed “Complete Streets”), and Law Enforcement impact fees, and creates a new Municipal Impact Fee, based on a 2026 study by Raftelis Financial Consultants. A four-year phase-in alternative was provided. Commissioner Colwell initially moved to approve with removal of the non-residential transportation fee reduction, but after discussion and concerns about legal challenges, the motion was modified to approve as written. The motion passed 6-1, but the motion to approve with a four-year phase-in died for lack of a second. Commissioner Santiago expressed support for a three- or four-year phase-in, citing affordability. After further debate, Commissioner Heriot moved to approve the ordinance as presented (two-year phase-in), seconded by Commissioner Nabicht. The motion carried 6-0 (Commissioner Howington had left at 6:12 PM). The city attorney confirmed the ordinance complies with state law, noting impact fees are not land development regulations under SB 180.
• FY2026-2027 Budget Discussions (Special Assessments): Finance Director John McKinney presented an overview of special assessments, including a proposed new fire assessment fee, updates to existing assessments, and future assessment options. Consultant Nilgan Camp (Benesch) presented the fire assessment study, with scenarios at $433/year (operations and vehicle replacement) or $579/year (including capital). The commission discussed methodology, credits for sprinklered buildings, and short-term rental classifications. The commission concurred to move forward with next steps for the fire assessment and other assessments.

Key Outcomes

• Impact Fee Ordinance Adopted: Ordinance No. 12-2026 was approved at second reading with a two-year phase-in (effective October 1, 2026, and October 1, 2027). The current total residential impact fee of $2,937.30 will increase to $5,070 over two years. The non-residential transportation fee for retail/eating places will decrease from $4,826 to $576 per 1,000 sq ft. Vote: 6-0 (Commissioner Howington absent).
• Fire Assessment Next Steps: The commission reached consensus to proceed with developing the fire assessment fee, with a preliminary resolution expected on July 20, 2026, and a final adoption hearing in September.
• Solid Waste Assessment: Staff recommended increasing the annual solid waste assessment from $260 to $287 due to a 10.56% cost increase.
• Stormwater Assessment: The third year of a five-year phase-in will increase the annual stormwater assessment from $190 to $210.
• Lake McGarity Assessment: Staff recommended suspending the annual assessment, as the $103,000 fund balance can sustain operations for 10–15 years.
• Street Lighting Assessment: A 5% increase is proposed, with details to be presented at the July 15 budget workshop.
• Future Budget Meetings: The next budget workshop is scheduled for July 15, 2026, with maximum millage rate setting on July 20, 2026, and public hearings on September 9 and September 21, 2026.