'Volusia County deserves a united council': Jeff Brower delivers 2024 State of the County address

The Volusia County Council Chair once again called for collaboration within the county to address quality of life issues such as private property rights.

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In his fourth State of the County address, Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower called for countywide collaboration to improve quality of life. 

"This is a time in our history in Volusia County where we all have to come together, to work together, with the common goal of improving our county," Brower said. "We have to do it together. We can go forward. We can build a flourishing, beautiful county where people love living, where we love playing, but we can't do it one by one."

The theme of the 2024 State of the County address, held for the first time in the west side of the county at The Center at Deltona on Wednesday, Feb. 14, was "Shaping Volusia's Future Together." Attended by over 450 people despite it being Valentine's Day, the event highlighted five goals for 2024: Create a more efficient regulatory framework; increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations; develop and implement a plan for expanded recreation and sports tourism services; continue and enhance fiscal stewardship; and foster and support a solution-oriented culture.

Outside of the building, about 10 people held up signs protesting the proposed fuel farm near Ormond Beach by Belvedere Terminals and calling for County Manager George Recktenwald's termination. The State of the County address was held a week after the County Council voted 5-2 against a moratorium on properties zoned I-2 "Heavy Industrial," a move that clears the way for Belvedere Terminals to submit a site plan, as a fuel farm is an allowed use within the zoning district. 

The conflict bled into Brower's speech. He and Councilman Troy Kent were the only two to vote in favor of the moratorium.

Brower shared a request he received the day before from a resident of Bear Creek, one of the neighborhoods that has collectively voiced significant opposition to the proposed fuel farm at 874 Hull Road.

"Regardless of the disappointment that she felt, she demonstrated a maturity and made a necessary request that I agree with and I want to share with you now," Brower said. "Her words, and I quote, 'I truly hope you all can work together going forward. Volusia County deserves a united council.' I share that hope, and I share that sentiment."

Volusia's top achievements in 2023

As in past years, the address featured a video highlighting the county's achievements and milestones from the previous year. 

Namely, the video emphasized the county's recovery efforts from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, the opening of new facilities like its $18.4 million medical examiner's office and the reduction and elimination of certain fees and taxes in county government. 

Last year, the County Council approved the elimination of the Communications Services Tax — which the county states is saving residents in unincorporated areas about $3 million a year — and doing away with county Business Tax Receipts, slated to save local businesses about $800,000 a year.

"Managing our community's budget is a challenging task requiring careful balance and strategic planning," Councilman Don Dempsey said in the video address. "Our goal was to diligently manage our resources to reduce unnecessary spending and hopefully lower taxes in the coming year."

Regarding beach restoration from the hurricanes, Volusia County reports it expedited permit processes to help property owners rebuild in the aftermath of the storms as well as deployed over 13,000 linear feet of TrapBags to stabilize the coast. The county is also working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Inland Navigation District on beach nourishment projects to restore dunes with over 1 million cubic yards of sand.

"While there's more work ahead, the speed and scale of repairs made over the past year have been extraordinary," Councilman Matt Reinhart said in the video address. 

Despite a harsh 2022 hurricane season, Volusia County saw a record number of sea turtle nests — more than 1,500 — while coastline reconstruction was ongoing.

It's no surprise to anyone that there are often disagreements among us on the council, among us in the community, as we debate important issues. That's why we call them debates. Sometimes, it is personal, and as chair, I believe it's my responsibility to keep our meetings moving forward in a positive direction." — JEFF BROWER, Volusia County Council Chair

Volusia also celebrated the opening of a dog beach in 2023, a milestone marked in the video address. 

"This area is not just a place for relaxation," County Councilman Troy Kent said. "It's a symbol of our dedication to inclusive enjoyment, welcoming everyone and their beloved dogs."

Kent also highlighted in the video address the ReGrow the Loop pilot initiative, which promotes native plants and wildlife to revitalize the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail. 

"It's a step toward preserving and enhancing Volusia County's natural beauty with plans to extend these sustainable efforts throughout the county," he said.

This coming year, Brower said he wants to take on the challenge of reopening the stretch of beach from East International Speedway Boulevard to the boardwalk to beach driving. He also called for an end of draining, dredging and filling in wetlands for new development, which leads to flooding in existing neighborhoods. 

"We must change our development patterns and we can do it — we can do better," Brower said.

'The road ahead is not easy'

Some people, Brower said, are hoping this address is his last as County Council chair. (Brower is up for reelection in November, and currently has two opponents: Local businessman and former race car driver Randy Dye and Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette.)

"It's no surprise to anyone that there are often disagreements among us on the council, among us in the community, as we debate important issues," Brower said. "That's why we call them debates. Sometimes, it is personal, and as chair, I believe it's my responsibility to keep our meetings moving forward in a positive direction."

The public deserves that, he said. It doesn't benefits from a "council divided on a personal level."

It's not the first year Brower has called for collaboration in his State of the County address. If reelected in November, it probably won't be his last plea, as fellow council members have spent the last four years criticizing him for his stances on various issues: beach tolls, water quality, short-term rentals, dogs on the beach, a proposed workshop on the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and most recently, the fuel farm. 

During his speech, Brower quoted Thomas Jefferson: "I love to see honest men and honorable men at the helm. Men who will not bend their politics to their purses, nor pursue measures by which they may profit and then profit by their measures."

"Jefferson's wise counsel must always be before us," Brower said. "We will always be challenged by those who see ulterior motives in just about everything we do. It is our job as a council to never let that be the case, especially as we wrestle with the challenges before us."

One of those challenges being private property rights. As the council deals with matters involving private property, members must keep in mind that each individual has the right to the security of property and public safety, Brower said, referencing both the Constitution and the county charter. 

"Liberty is freedom wrapped in morals and respect for your fellow man," Brower said. "Liberty asks this important question: Yeah, I can do a thing, but should I do that thing?"

We have no right, Brower said, to infringe on the security or safety of our neighbors.

"The road ahead is not easy, but the work is essential," Brower said. "I am asking this council and all of us to join hands in improving our quality of life and our economy. We can shape Volusia County's future, but only if everybody in this room decides that we will do it together."

 

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