- February 24, 2025
Wayne Grant
News Editor
The City Commission gave staff direction on formulating next year’s budget at a workshop June 2. A similar workshop for the operating budget will be July 28, and the public will get a chance to comment at two public hearings in September as the budget is formally adopted.
Lighting up the Granada Bridge has been discussed in the past year, but is now on hold. The finance department reported that it would cost $140,000 to design the lighting and estimated the cost of construction to be from one to three million dollars.
Cities around the world use creative lighting to enhance the appearance of bridges. One nearby example is Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville.
Commissioner James Stowers said lighting the bridge would be “fantastic,” but the money could be used for a better investment..
Commissioner Rick Boehm recommended placing it on the unfunded project list, rather than abandoning the idea.
“There may be grants out there,” he said. “It would enhance the community.”
Ormond MainStreet had endorsed the bridge lighting idea.
Commissioner Bill Partington suggested using the $140,000 for another project recommended by Ormond MainStreet, dredging along the dock at Cassen Park so that visiting boats could tie up. The idea is that boaters traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway would be able to stop and visit Ormond Beach restaurants or other destinations. It would not be for overnight stays.
The commissioners decided to hold off designating money for the dredging project until the full cost can be obtained.
“I’d like to get some hard numbers and make this happen in the next couple of years,” said Commissioner Troy Kent.
The officials were enthusiastic about partnering with the YMCA in constructing a dog park at the Sterthaus Drive facility. It would be open to Ormond Beach residents, even if they are not members of the YMCA.
“Residents are very interested in having a dog park,” said Boehm. “It’s something we should look at supporting.”
The city has been looking at constructing a dog park in three or four years at the Nova Recreation Center and Mayor Ed Kelley said that could still happen.
In the area of recreation, Boehm asked for money for a feasibility study for a community center west of Interstate 95, on land owned by the School Board. He said it’s needed because of the growing population in that area. The officials decided that staff should work with school board staff on the idea, before any money is allotted for a study.
Funeral home gets first OK
After the workshop, at the regular City Commission meeting, the officials gave approval in a first reading for a funeral home to be added at Tuscany Shoppes, located on West Granada Boulevard between Hidden Hills Drive and Old Tomoka Road. A second reading is tentatively set for July 23.
Planning Director Rick Goss told the officials that there will be sales, services and small processions at the facility, but no preparation of bodies.
At an earlier Planning Board meeting, the members were told that any processions would exit onto Old Tomoka Road, and not go out toward Granada Boulevard. The owner said seven out of ten funerals today are cremations, so there often is no hearse.
