City of Deltona Regular Commission Meeting – September 21, 2026

The Deltona City Commission met on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included a recognition ceremony, public comments, approval of consent agenda items, a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for data centers, adoption of the final millage rate and budget for FY 2026-2027, approval of a proportionate fair share agreement, a discussion on a previously approved resolution, and direction on a parking ordinance amendment. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7A (approval of minutes of September 9, 2026 meeting), 7B (proclamations for Fire Prevention Week, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Italian Heritage Month), 7C (reduction of fine for property owner Brandyn Schwalm/Home Solution Investment LLC from $17,250 to $6,000), and 7D (Resolution 2026-85 awarding Whitehouse Contracting, LLC the contract for concrete sidewalk enhancements at Harris M. Saxon Community Center) were approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote.
• Item 7E (Resolution 2026-89, Project/Capital Carryforward Budget Amendment for FY 2025-2026) was pulled by Commissioner Howington for discussion. She questioned why an $11,000 donation from the Mayor's Ball specifically earmarked for Harris Saxon capital projects was coded as promotional revenue. The Finance Director stated he would reclassify the funds. The item was then approved by a 6-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez dissenting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium (Public Hearing): Several residents expressed support for the temporary moratorium. Stephanie Cox cited concerns about water quality and cancer-causing ingredients; she stated, "I absolutely want no data centers anywhere near Deltona." Tim Blodgett noted high electricity and water usage by data centers and supported the moratorium to allow time for technological improvements. Jason Bells supported the moratorium but urged the city to also prevent conversion of existing Amazon facilities into data centers and to lobby the state against preemption.
• Final Millage and Budget (Public Hearing): Multiple residents opposed the budget, citing rising costs for residents (insurance, fuel, interest rates, food) and urging the city to cut "fluff" and prioritize essential services like roads and stormwater. Speakers included Stephanie Cox, Jason Bells, Tim Blodgett, Pat Blodgett, Al Himes, Terry Haynes, Randy White, Albert Bryan, Christian O'Brien, and Gail Nora. Al Himes argued that city funds should focus on essential services as defined in the city charter. Albert Bryan warned that Amendment 3 would gut the budget and criticized the lack of contingency planning. Terry Haynes detailed a 26.23% proposed increase in community event spending, including new events totaling $89,100. Several speakers noted that residents are financially squeezed and that the budget is the highest in city history.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 19-2026 – Temporary Moratorium for Data Centers (First Reading): The City Attorney read the ordinance title. Commissioner Heriot made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Howington. Discussion clarified that the moratorium does not conflict with SB 180, that data centers are not currently a permitted use in any zoning classification, and that the ordinance provides a one-year moratorium with early termination possible. The motion passed 7-0.
• Resolution 2026-87 – Final Millage Rate: Finance Director McKinney presented the final millage rate of 6.4948 mills per $1,000 of taxable value, a 0% increase from the rolled-back rate, based on a taxable value of $5,920,885,741. Commissioner Santiago made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Nabicht, with an amended motion stating the specific rate. After public comment, the motion passed 5-2, with Commissioners Colwell and Howington voting against. Commissioner Howington had argued for a lower millage rate of 6.450 mills.
• Resolution 2026-88 – Final Budget FY 2026-2027: The total final budget is $316,519,788. Commissioner Santiago made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Nabicht. The motion first failed 3-4 (Commissioners Nabicht, Santiago, Mayor Avila for; Commissioners Colwell, Heriot, Howington, Vice Mayor against). Extensive discussion followed about cutting events, transferring funds to roads, and the uncertainty of Amendment 3. Commissioner Nabicht moved to transfer $1.5 million from Parks & Recreation to road resurfacing, but the motion died for lack of a second. Ultimately, Commissioner Heriot made a motion to approve the budget as presented, seconded by Commissioner Santiago. The motion passed 4-3 (Commissioners Heriot, Nabicht, Santiago, Mayor Avila for; Commissioners Colwell, Howington, Vice Mayor against).
• Proportionate Fair Share Agreement for Howland Marketplace: The City Attorney explained the developer owes $207,196.63, less a $20,697.60 Volusia County transportation impact fee credit, resulting in $186,499.04 due to Volusia County. Commissioner Santiago moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Nabicht. No public comment. Motion passed 7-0.
• Discussion of Resolution 2025-26 (Aloha Estates): The City Attorney reported that Resolution 2025-26 granted approvals for a 536-apartment development on 45.3 acres but required the final plat to be recorded within 20 working days of March 18, 2025. The final plat was never recorded, so there is no active plat or site plan approval. Any future development would require a new approval process.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items 7A-7D: Approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Item 7E: Approved 6-1.
• Ordinance 19-2026 (Data Center Moratorium): Approved 7-0 on first reading. One-year moratorium, effective until September 21, 2027, unless terminated early.
• Resolution 2026-87 (Final Millage): Approved 5-2. Millage rate set at 6.4948 mills per $1,000 valuation, representing a 0% increase over the rolled-back rate.
• Resolution 2026-88 (Final Budget): Approved 4-3. Total budget of $316,519,788 for FY 2026-2027.
• Proportionate Fair Share Agreement for Howland Marketplace: Approved 7-0.
• Discussion of Resolution 2025-26: No action taken; staff noted the prior approval has lapsed.
• Parking Ordinance Amendment: The Commission gave consensus (6-1) to direct staff to amend Chapter 66 to allow parking only on the non-fire hydrant side of the street in subdivisions, to be brought back for first reading in October.