Deltona City Commission Regular Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Deltona City Commission met on August 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included presentations, a public hearing, and action on several resolutions. Key actions included approval of a 12-month moratorium on data centers, passage of an animal abandonment ordinance with enhanced penalties, and direction to update the Stormwater Master Plan. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 7‑A: Minutes of the August 3, 2026 meeting were approved as amended (a consensus was corrected to a motion).
• Item 7‑F: Resolution No. 2026‑76 awarding C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc. the contract for parking lot improvements at Harris M. Saxon Community Center was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brandy White (during consent agenda) spoke about the need for greater transparency in budget amendments, asking for clear separation of carry‑forwards, grants, transfers, and discretionary spending, and noted repeated amendments in the same areas over the past three fiscal years.
• Kathy Bryan (during consent agenda) asked for an accounting of which departments are spending the most and whether budget amendments were linked to recent lawsuits and other dais actions.
• Kathy Bryan (during Item 9‑A) expressed hope that the Ordinance Review Committee would continue to discuss the micromobility ordinance and that enforcement concerns with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office would be addressed.
• No public comments were recorded during the Public Forum (6:00 – 6:30 PM) or for Items 8‑A, 9‑B, or 9‑C.

Discussion Items

• Presentations:
  • Senator Tom Wright and Representative Webster Barnaby presented a $1.25 million check for watermain replacement, secured with their assistance.
  • Safiya Omar (YMCA Associate Executive Director) reported that the YMCA has served over 7,000 members in Deltona in 2026 (33% seniors, 20% youth), provided $34,888 in financial assistance with a goal of exceeding $85,000, and served over 1,500 youth sports participants, 311 kids in swim lessons, and 623 children in summer camp.
  • Dana McCool presented the Bike Helmet Ride Into Summer Safety Fair report, noting approximately 500 visitors, 175 helmets fitted, and 24 volunteers; the event was held May 30 at Dewey Boster Park.
  • Ben Pernezny (Ardurra Group) presented the Theresa Basin Flood Control Study, which covers a 35‑square‑mile closed basin. Preliminary recommendations include constructing pump stations and force mains to divert excess floodwater to Deep Creek or Lake Monroe, with significant regulatory and cost challenges (estimates in the tens of millions). Commissioners discussed the need for regional partnerships, updates to the 2019 Stormwater Master Plan, and the importance of addressing localized flooding first.
• Consent Items Pulled for Discussion:
  • 7‑B (Budget Amendment Resolution 2026‑74): Commissioner Howington and others raised concerns about transparency and the lack of detail in the budget amendment document. After motions to table and to approve failed 3‑3, a motion to amend the amendment to only approve the transfer of funds for the Lake Windsor Forcemain Project and SCADA Project (approximately $2 million in ARPA funds) passed 6‑0.
  • 7‑C (Master Fee Schedule Resolution 2026‑53): Commissioner Howington asked about new program fees created by the City Manager without Commission approval, citing the Christmas parade fee issue. He moved to approve the resolution with an amendment requiring new program fees to come before the Commission before implementation; the motion passed 6‑0.
  • 7‑D (Synthetic Turf at Keysville Dog Park Resolution 2026‑70): Vice Mayor Avila‑Vazquez asked about safety for animals. Staff clarified the turf is only for entrance areas and sidewalks, not the dog run areas. The project is funded by an Echo Grant. A motion to approve the resolution and a corresponding budget amendment of $133,194 passed 6‑0.
  • 7‑E (Civil Citation Prosecution Resolution 2026‑75): Commissioner Colwell asked whether authorizing blanket prosecution would bypass future Commission votes. The City Attorney explained it only covers uncontested civil citations; contested cases require timely action. The resolution passed 6‑0.
• Public Hearing – Ordinance 15‑2026 (Animal Abandonment with Enhanced Penalties): The ordinance, aligned with House Bill 559, sets penalties up to $7,500 for animal abandonment. Commissioners discussed enforcement via animal control and coordination with the Sheriff’s Office. The ordinance passed 6‑0 on second reading.
• Action Items:
  • 9‑A (Suspension of Age Restriction for Micromobility Devices): The City Attorney noted the previous vote lacked a proper motion and second. The Commission affirmed the suspension, with Vice Mayor Avila‑Vazquez requesting review by the Ordinance Review Committee and discussion with the Sheriff’s Office. Motion passed 6‑0.
  • 9‑B (Data Center Moratorium): Commissioner Heriot and Colwell requested a 12‑month moratorium on all data centers (Colwell had sought a ban on those over 50,000 megawatts). The City Attorney confirmed data centers are not currently a permitted use and that a recent state bill affirms local regulation. The moratorium passed 6‑0.
  • 9‑C (Growing Food in Right‑of‑Way): Commissioner Heriot requested holding code violations of Section 38‑113B in abeyance (excluding imminent threats to health/safety) until the Commission reviews a revised ordinance. The motion included ground cover and mulch as part of the garden. Motion passed 6‑0. Staff was directed to review the ordinance and bring back revisions.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all 6‑0 unless noted):
  • Resolution 2026‑76 (parking lot improvements).
  • Resolution 2026‑75 (civil citation prosecution).
  • Ordinance 15‑2026 (animal abandonment).
  • Resolution 2026‑70 and budget amendment of $133,194 (dog park turf).
  • Resolution 2026‑53 with amendment requiring Commission approval of new program fees (fee schedule).
  • Partial approval of Resolution 2026‑74: transfer of funds for Lake Windsor Forcemain and SCADA projects only; the broader third‑quarter budget amendment was not approved.
  • Suspension of age restriction in Ordinance 02‑2026 (micromobility).
  • 12‑month moratorium on all data centers (Item 9‑B).
  • Abeyance of right‑of‑way garden code violations pending ordinance review (Item 9‑C).
• Direction to Staff:
  • Update the 2019 Stormwater Master Plan as quickly as possible, with a rough cost estimate and funding proposal to be brought back for Commission consideration (likely second quarter of next fiscal year).
  • Review and revise the ordinance regarding growing food in the right‑of‑way.
  • Bring back a report on the Lakeshore boat ramp engineering agreement (kick‑off meeting scheduled for August 26).
• Failed Motions:
  • Motion to table Resolution 2026‑74 failed 3‑3.
  • Motion to approve Resolution 2026‑74 in full failed 3‑3.
• Future Agenda Items:
  • Commissioner Howington requested a future presentation on ADA improvements made by the city.
  • Commissioner Nabicht requested recognition for Pine Ridge High School’s Junior ROTC (to be added under Commission Comments).