'Volusia proud, Volusia Strong': Brower delivers first state of the county address

County Council Chair Jeff Brower highlights the need to work together to improve Volusia County.

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In his first address as Volusia County Council chair on Tuesday, April 27, Jeff Brower looked out at the crowd and took a minute to take it all in. 

"I've attended this event before, but never from this view," Brower said. "I've always suspected that there was an immense amount of work that went into it, but now that I've experienced firsthand since taking office in January, I have seen that it's a massive undertaking to put on an event of this magnitude."

After a year marked by challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the county's annual address focused on the efforts made by county staff to aid residents, businesses and encourage safe reopening measures. The address took place inside the Ocean Center's arena, with about 100 tables of four evenly distributed in the large space to encourage social distancing.

The event could have been held anywhere, Brower said, explaining that the importance of the address is its message: That everyone — residents, elected officials, businessmen and women — all need to work together. 

“We are all instrumental in the task of conducting the people’s business and improving lives," he said.

Brower stressed his excitement about Volusia's future, as well as his gratitude for being elected to represent the county in his position. 

"That honor comes with an immense responsibility," he said. "A responsibility to everyone, from our residents, families, our businesses, taxpayers of every age and of course to the environment that we all share."

Resilient during the pandemic

The first case of COVID-19 arrived in Volusia County on March 7, according to the state of the county address booklet. As a result, the county closed administrative buildings, libraries, playgrounds, and restricted driving on the beach to help mitigate the spread of the virus. 

In a video address, county staff also boasted their Relaunch Volusia plan that guided reopening measures in the county. 

Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan said the county's reopening was "thoughtful, measured and strategic."

But it doesn't mean conditions are back to "normal," said Community Services Director Dona Butler in the video. The county reports it put over $9.3 million in coronavirus relief dollars into the community, including grants to help businesses, nonprofit agencies and home-based businesses. Volusia also provided $19.4 million in rental and mortgage assistance and partnered with Halifax Urban Ministries to distribute over 92,000 bags of food to local families. 

"Resilience is no longer just a vague term or abstract concept," Butler said. "It represents hope and strength. It's a way of life and our roadmap to continued recovery."

A look back at 2020

The video address also featured all of the County Council representatives, each tackling a different subject. County Councilwoman Barb Girtman spoke about the census, for which the county reported a total response rate of close to 100% and was subsequently recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau in its "2020 Census Best Practices Showcase." 

County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler highlighted the ECHO and Volusia Forever programs, which since their implementation, have helped to preserve 38,000 acres of land and aided in 240 projects, including parks, playgrounds, trails and restoration of historic facilities. 

A critical restructuring of government also occurred in 2020 as the county worked to implement the changes resulting from Amendment 10. County Councilman Danny Robins explained how the county converted the property appraiser, sheriff and supervisor of elections into constitutional officers, and, brought back the office of the tax collector, which had been abolished 50 years ago in Volusia per the home rule charter.

County Councilwoman Heather Post spoke about first responders and the county's emergency management division, praising staff for their response to Hurricane Isaias, the only storm that threatened the county last summer, but one that stayed offshore. She also mentioned the opening of the county's new Public Works facility in Daytona Beach.

"Volusia County stands ready to respond, and we are Volusia County strong," Post said.

Infrastructure and water quality were also addressed by County Councilmen Fred Lowry and Ben Johnson, respectively. 

'You're the government'

In his final remarks, Brower thanked the chairs that came before him. In attendance was Volusia's first County Council chair, Frank Bruno. 

"Each had their own style and approach to this job, and so too will I," Brower said. "Yeah, it might be different from what we had in the past, but I believe that's why voters elected me."

He called residents "full partners" in local government and said real change starts "from the bottom up. He urged residents to get involved and come together, and while he started his remarks by saying he wasn't one to make promises, he did state his confidence in transforming Volusia through responsible growth and preservation of natural spaces. 

He also said the county needs to be mindful of the budget, and announced he had asked staff to pursue a rollback tax rate for the 2021-2022 budget. In addition, Brower said he is focused on government efficiency to continue to attract and keep businesses in the area. 

"We're the council," Brower said. "You're the government. This is your government. You must hold each of us accountable."

 

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