- February 6, 2025
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Volusia is figuratively, and literally, "soaring to new heights," said County Council Chair Ed Kelley during the State of the County address on Monday, Jan. 22, where the county's achievements for 2017 were highlighted.
Kelley, who spoke after a video presentation featuring each of the councilmen and women speaking about their districts, began his address by thanking the municipal workers and private sector players that had a key role in each of the accomplishments discussed in the video, which included the construction of Hope Place and the First Step Shelter to combat homelessness as well as the $9 million expansion of Brown and Brown insurance.
“It’s working with the council that we work with, working with the city managers, the city attorneys, that made those accomplishments possible, along with our partners," Kelley said.
Other notable county achievements made in the last year include the construction of the new Security First Insurance headquarters at Ormond Crossings designed to hold 750 full-time employees and the county's $1.5 million contribution last spring to help with the infrastructure for Embry-Riddle's MicaPlex building.
County Council at-large representative Joyce Cusack announced during her video segment that this will be her last state of the county address as her term expires this year.
On the forecast for 2018 are seven new beach approaches, as well as toll booths, said Kelley. He also touched on the county property appraiser's urge to crack down on code enforcement and fine people abusing the homestead exemption.
Kelley said the council has also made it a priority in 2018 to have zero debt in the general fund by the end of the year, a thought Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen first stated at a December Eggs and Issues event hosted by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Kelley finished his address on a positive note.
“Choosing to live in Volusia County, you like me, surely believe this is one of the best places to live, work, play, raise a family, have grandchildren here to visit, and place to call home," Kelley said.
