- February 1, 2025
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Ormond Beach could soon grow by 1,050 acres, as Plantation Oaks seeks annexation into the city.
The 55 and up community north of U.S. 1 was approved and developed under county jurisdiction, first approved in 2002. In 2015, the City Commission approved an annexation agreement with Plantation Oaks, agreeing to be its water and sewer provider, a city memo states. The first phase of the development includes 427 manufactured homes and clubhouse. Since the city annexed Destination Daytona, Plantation Oaks became contiguous.
The City Commission will vote on the subdivision’s annexation at its Sept. 18 meeting. Mayor Bill Partington said he expects the vote to pass.
“I think it’ll be beneficial for those residents to be a part of the city and enjoy, not only police and fire, but our public works and leisure services,” Partington said. “All those services the city provides at a better level than what the county does.”
Future residents will also have a lower tax rate, Partington added. It will increase the tax base, and Partington said that’s a plus for the city.
"We’re growing, and they say if you’re not growing, you’re dying," Partington said.
Volusia County School Board member Ida Wright asked the Roundtable of Volusia County Elected Officials to consider a couple management improvements regarding using schools as hurricane shelters, including cots for everyone.
Wright said special needs shelters do provide costs for residents, but that in the general population shelters, there are sometimes people sleeping on the floor. She believes the county should discuss purchasing cots for all residents.
Also, Wright said “it would be nice” to see city and county staff helping school faculty manage the shelters during storms.
“We were up for about 25 hours, and so we really do need some help,” Wright said.
Port Orange City Manager Jake Johansson said the county should clarify who is eligible to go to a special needs shelter, as some families with special needs kids were turned away and sent to general population.
Since Ormond Beach’s first budget hearing had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian, the new dates for the hearings are Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The city is proposing a millage rate of 4.22 mills, which is 3.36% above rollback.