- October 15, 2024
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Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington was recognized by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce at the 2024 State of the City. Photo by Sierra Williams
The 2024 Ormond Beach State of the City address. Photo by Sierra Williams
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington with Deputy Mayor Harold Briley. Photo by Sierra Williams
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Sierra Williams
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Sierra Williams
From left to right: Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Cotton, Deputy Mayor Harold Briley, City Commissioners Susan Persis, Travis Sargent and Lori Tolland, and Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Sierra Williams
Just one week after Hurricane Milton tore coast-to-coast through Central Florida, Ormond Beach’s leaders celebrated the city’s successes with the 2024 State of the City address.
“I'm pleased to report to all of you here today that the State of the City of Ormond Beach remains strong,” Mayor Bill Partington said.
The theme of this year’s State of the City was ‘Partners in Prosperity,’ and focused on how the city’s partnerships with its community members has led to the city’s successes. The annual address and luncheon was co-hosted by the city and the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce at the Oceanside Country Club on Oct. 15.
“This theme embodies the essence of what makes our city thrive, our ability to come together, collaborate and support one another in our shared pursuit of a prosperous future,” Partington said.
Economic development programs and infrastructure and safety improvement projects were the chief items celebrated at the State of the City address.
City partnerships and programs designed to help local businesses expand and relocate to Ormond Beach has helped the city make “significant progress” in its economic development, City Commissioner Travis Sargent said in a video summarizing the city’s success over the last year.
Ormond Beach has welcomed several new businesses from insurance firms to restaurants over the last year through these programs.
The City Commissioners also credited its strong relationships with state partners like the Florida Department of Transportation on helping the city move forward with its safety and infrastructure enhancements.
Primarily, the city celebrated the future Highway U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 Interchange entering the design phase. The interchange will be redesigned into a “diverging diamond,” which will minimize the number of potential crash locations and the severity of crashes.
The interchange — which is part of the governor's $4 billion Moving Florida Forward infrastructure initiative, aimed at advancing construction on transportation projects — will be redesigned to a "diverging diamond," which FDOT stated in its video presentation will minimize the number of potential crash locations and the severity of crashes.
“Once completed, it will significantly enhance the traffic flow and reduce congestion,” Commissioner Susan Persis said.
Construction of the new interchange is expected to begin in 2027, she said.
To further prioritize safety, the city has also completed a pedestrian safety project on State Road A1A, with raised medians and flashing beacons installed. Ormond Beach is also in the process of developing a new police station and emergency operations center at a more central geographical location in Ormond Beach, and has already taken the first steps to do so with a needs-analysis of current and future public safety needs.
“These achievements are not just markers of success, they are the building blocks of a prosperous future for all,” Partington said.
The Chamber and Ormond Beach City Commissioners also took the opportunity to celebrate Partington, who is ending is eight-year tenure as the city’s mayor.
Partington — after 20 years serving as an elected official in Ormond Beach — is running for the Florida House of Representatives District 28 seat. He is the Republican candidate and faces Democrat John Navarra and Libertarian Joseph “Joe” Hannoush.
Partington was initially elected as Ormond Beach’s Zone 4 representative in 2003. In 2016, he was elected to his first of four consecutive terms as the city’s mayor.
The city’s new mayor — either current City Commissioner Susan Persis or local businessman Jason Leslie — will be decided on Nov. 5.
The current and previous Chamber presidents presented Partington with an ornate clock to recognize him for his service.
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Chair Eva Connors McMullin said Partington has shown that “true leadership goes beyond policymaking.” Partington’s vision for Ormond Beach, McMullin said, inspires everyone to invest their own time and energy into making the community a better place.
“It involves actively engaging with citizens listening to their needs and being present in moments that matter,” she said. “Through your tireless efforts, you have championed initiatives that have empowered local businesses, strengthened our economy and enhanced the quality of life for all residents.”
