- February 4, 2025
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Years in Volusia County: 29
Qualifications: I have a strong background in finance and community involvement. I’ve been appointed by two governors to an administrative position at The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia — first appointed under Gov. Jeb Bush and reappointed under Gov. Charlie Crist. I have a strong knowledge of Volusia County, how we work and how our partners work in collaboration and can balance that with my administrative skills. I served on the Volusia County School Board from 1994 to 1998 and won the Volusia County Council seat in 2012.
Top three priorities in office:
Hiring a new county manager is the No. 1 focus.
Making sure we restore and protect our quality in our lagoon, and all our waters within Volusia. I currently am vice chair of the Indian River Lagoon Council, which is five counties, two water management districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Keep working for transparent and accountable processes and procedures within the county, which is why I worked on and helped champion the ability to have an internal auditor reporting to the council, as opposed to reporting to staff.
The County Council handled Jim Dinneen’s exit well.
Mr. Dinneen chose his exit: He retired.
The county will need to raise taxes to meet the needs of its citizens in the next four years.
I disagree. Volusia County is fiscally stable. We’ve gone in complete rollback in our millage, which means there will be no increase in the general fund for our citizens. Our reserves are strong, and we are completely debt free in our general fund. We’ll pay off at the end of this month the last revenue bond and that will save approximately $1.4 million in interest alone, as well as keep us financially stable. We’re in a very positive fiscal standpoint. With the property values going up, I think Volusia County is poised very well to stay financially strong. The only thing that could jeopardize is should extra ad valorem amendment pass. We have no idea what the impact will be to the county and cities.
The county has the primary responsibility to solve homelessness, not the cities.
Volusia County has been a solid partner on the homeless issue. We have participated with Hope Place, which was a middle school converted into a homeless shelter for women and children. That was unanimous from the County Council. We were unanimous with supporting DeLand and their homeless. But is it the county’s responsibility? There are 16 cities within Volusia County, and it’s a collaborative process, but we are strong partners.
Follow up: Are you optimistic about the First Step Shelter? That was the only project that was not unanimous from Volusia County Council. I voted against it for the same reason you’re seeing the struggle today. There was no operational plan and no construction plan. For me and citizens to commit $4 million to a project that had no plan at that time, I think was not in the best interest of the tax payers. The day of the vote, my comment was, “I hope you prove me wrong,” and I have yet to be proven wrong. ... The real question is, if the homeless population will choose to go out to the First Step Shelter, and if they will stay there? We can be compassionate and make sure the services are there, but they have to choose to take advantage of service and choose to participate.
The county should invest in Daytona Beach to accelerate beachside redevelopment.
We have — It’s called a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). There currently is a CRA that all of Volusia County has been subsidizing. There have been enough meetings, and it is now time for Daytona Beach to implement and to enforce their code and hopefully attract the type of business that need to be attracted. I’m encouraged.
Impact fees should be dramatically increased to pay for growth in Volusia County.
The impact fee study that has been released to council and is part of public record on volusia.org — I think the increases are coming in at about 150%. The question is how to implement them? Do you phase them in or do it all at once? We’re hosting four public hearings in each of the four zones for public input. All that information will be compiled and presented in early November so council can make a decision.
Follow up: Why do you think the impact fees have remained low and not gone up? As an incumbent, we’ve addressed, and we are moving forward. It probably should have been reviewed earlier.
The county needs to hire more firefighters, even if taxes have to be increased.
I think you would have to justify that. ... I’d have to look at the reports.
Volusia County should offer more economic incentives to entice companies to bring jobs to the county.
At this stage, we’re looking for higher-wage jobs. The last thing County Council approved was Quality Tax Incentives, QTI, for B. Braun Medical, which is building this huge site in Volusia County, and all of their jobs are higher-wage jobs. I think it would depend on the salary range, such as commercial aerospace.
Volusia County is successful at attracting tourists.
Of course. We have have three advertising authorities, and you should see New Smyrna Beach. State Road 44 is backed up to Interstate 95 on the weekends, so yes, we’re definitely a tourist destination.
Follow up: Do you feel that the county could or should do more to attract more?
That’s the responsibility of the the three ad authorities. They are our marketing arm, and we have a great relationship with them.
Follow up: Are you concerned about homelessness in Daytona Beach affecting tourism?
That’s up to the city to decide.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
