- February 23, 2025
Officials says transportation needs are ‘dire’
Wayne Grant
News Editor
The Ormond Beach City Commission rejected a request by the Volusia County Council to support a survey to gauge public interest in a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and get input on local needs to create a priority list.
The commissioners instructed City Manager Joyce Shanahan to send a letter saying they do not favor a survey, saying it would be a waste of money.
The county has discussed placing a referendum on the 2016 ballot for voters to decide if a half-cent sales tax should be instituted.
The consensus by the City Commission was that the county should be able to come up with a list of needed transportation projects.
City Commissioner Troy Kent called the idea for a survey to get a priority list “silly and ridiculous.”
“I could ask our city manager to take 10 days and she could come up with a prioritized list,” he said. “I’m saying no to the survey.”
The cost of the survey would be $150,000, with the county paying half and the cities paying the other half. The cost for Ormond Beach would be between $5,006 and $7,509.
The county has stated that revenue from the gasoline tax has been flat, because of lower fuel costs, fuel efficient vehicles and changing driving habits, and this has created a need for money for roads, bridges, trails, intersection improvements, etc. Money for transportation also comes from impact fees and utility tax.
The County estimates that a countywide surtax would generate about $37 million annually. Ormond Beach would receive up to $1.87 million annually for transportation needs, under one proposed formula.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan told the commissioners that so far Oak Hill has voted no on the survey and voting yes were DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Holly Hill, South Daytona and Lake Helen.
County spending questioned
Even thought the commissioners agreed there is a big need for transportation improvements, they questioned the county’s handling of dollars in the past.
“How does that happen that you run out of money?” asked Commissioner James Stowers. “If we raise the sales tax will be run out again?”
He said the sales tax is needed because of the “dire need” of roads in the county, but the county needs strong leadership to keep the spending on track.
Other commissioners agreed that a half-cent sales tax is necessary, but Commissioner Rick Boehm said he “awaits to be convinced.”
Kent pointed out that Ormond Beach has set aside $1 million annually since 1997 for transportation expenses, even during the lean economic times, to re-pave roads, provide sidewalks and make other needed transportation improvements.
“If Ormond Beach can do it, why can’t other communities and county government do it?” he asked.
Kelley said “the scary part” is that the same people who have been administering the revenue will be in charge of future funds.
Kent then interjected, “No, they won’t, Mayor, because you’ll be there to help them.”
Kelly has announced he will run for County Council in the next election.
Kelley said the county officials’ roundtable has discussed the need for many transportation projects around the county.
He said even mowing the medians could be done better.
“I was told we are lucky to get them mowed six times a year,” he said.
Some roadways in the city that are the maintenance responsibility of Volusia County include Nova Road, Hand Avenue and Clyde Morris Boulevard.
State lawmakers recognized
Also at the meeting, commissioners presented plaques of appreciation to recognize state lawmakers Sen. Dorothy Hukill, Rep. David Santiago and Rep. Fred Costello.
“You are our voice in Tallahassee,” Kelley told the three officials.
Santiago said when he was a city commissioner in Deltona, he looked to Ormond Beach as a role model for how a city should operate.
Hukill mentioned the importance of the partnership between local and state government officials.
“We don’t operate in a vacuum,” she said.
COUNTY ASSETS
2,231 Lane Miles
49 Fixed Bridges
282 Miles of Sidewalks
318 Signalized Intersections
40,000-plus signs
