- February 24, 2025
Also: Plea made for MacDonald House
Wayne Grant
News Editor
The City Commission approved annexation on May 5 of three properties on North U.S. 1, made possible by the recently signed Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement with Volusia County. Previously, the city only annexed properties that were contiguous with the city, but the new agreement allows enclaves.
Planning Director Rick Goss told the commissioners that the property tax will be lower for the two businesses after they are annexed into the city, because county millage rates are higher.
Microflex Inc., 1800 N. U.S. 1, received final annexation approval. According to the agenda documents, the company applied for the annexation and already receives city utilities. The city of Ormond Beach estimates it will receive $9,697 in additional tax.
Crossroads Calvary Chapel, 1805 N. U.S. 1, was notified April 1 that the city intended to annex the property. Since it is a church, there will be no tax revenue. Utility taxes are lower in the county, but water and sewer charges are less in the city, according to agenda documents.
The city approved the annexation in a first reading, and final approval will be decided on May 19.
Pastor David Sharp appeared at the meeting, and said the church had no reason to oppose the annexation.
“We’re happy to be part of the community,” he said.
Blue Coast Bakers, 1899 N. U.S. 1, was annexed in a first reading and a final vote will be made May 19. The city estimates there will be $22,568 in additional tax revenues.
Reached by phone before the meeting, Owner Kambiz Zarrabi said he had not looked into the difference between being in the city and county, but plans to attend meetings to get the details.
Zarrabi is currently renovating the building. He said he has more than 20 employees, and plans to have a job fair in June. He said after training the new hires, he hopes to start baking products by September. In three years, he hopes to have 300 employees.
Historical museum proposed
In the public comment section of the meeting, a representative of the Ormond Beach Historical Society spoke to the City Commission on the importance of preserving the MacDonald House, which was built in 1900 and now serves as headquarters for the society.
Ann Kashmer, a volunteer, said the society has a vision of developing the property as a museum of local history, which would serve as an economic benefit in addition to preserving history and culture.
“Museums have a proven track record of drawing visitors,” she said. “History and culture are magnets.”
She told the commissioners the society looks forward to working with them.
At a brainstorming session earlier this year, commissioners discussed several possibilities for city-owned buildings, including an idea to sell the MacDonald house to a developer.
