'Call to action': County Council Chair Jeff Brower calls for unity in annual State of the County address

The 2025 State of the County address was themed, 'Coming together for a bright future.'

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Unity was once again at the center of Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower's annual State of the County address, delivered to a crowd of about 500 at the Ocean Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25. 

Themed "Coming together for a bright future," the State of the County highlighted the council's goals for 2025 as well as the past year's accomplishments. This was Brower's fifth address as County Council Chair — his fifth asking for all elected officials and the community to come together to work on issues the county is facing. 

"I believe every person in this room wants what's best for Volusia County," Brower said. "This County Council has created a list of priorities and goals that can carry us through and rise us above our many challenges. However, the challenges that face us today, and our goals for tomorrow, require an unprecedented level of cooperation."

Flooding. Growth. Storms. Basic services. 

All these challenges, Brower said, require partnerships, collaboration and compromise, as that "cooperation often crosses judicial boundaries, industries and even philosophical positions." 

"You can see this call to action goes beyond this council," Brower said. "I'm asking all of you to join us in working together for a bright future."

2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The State of the County event highlighted seven council goals: 

  • Create a more efficient regulatory framework
  • Increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations
  • Develop and implement a plan for expanded recreation and sports tourism services 
  • Continue and enhance fiscal stewardship 
  • Foster and support a solution-oriented culture
  • Make the county a leader in resiliency practices
  • Promote economic prosperity

The event also featured a video on the county's achievements from the past year. 

These included the elimination of the communication tax, business tax receipts and pet registration fees. The county also celebrated the addition of a new carrier at Daytona Beach International Airport and new Avelo Airline routes to Wilmington, Delaware and Hartford, Connecticut. 

At the Ocean Center — which is celebrating its 40th year — the county hosted over 118 events, including 14 live entertainment events. Total attendance was reported to be 513,000 in 2024, up 16% from 2023. The Ocean Center's events generated 88,000 hotel room nights, up 17% from 2023.

The county also celebrated the announcement of a new manufacturing and assembly plant for French aircraft corporation Aura Aero at the airport. This, the county reported, will bring more than 1,400 high paying jobs.

The video address recognized the county for ranking second in acquisition of conservation lands in the state, acknowledging programs such as Volusia Forever. Since 2021, Volusia has acquired and preserved over 5,500 acres of land. 

"Approximately 56% of those lands protects our precious natural floodplains and wetlands, which as we know, plays a critical role in reducing our flood risks throughout Volusia County," Councilman Danny Robins said in the video. "That, my friends, is remarkable."

ParkVolusia was also mentioned. Since its launch in January, the county reports 76,000 registrations for the parking program — which allows residents to drive on the beach and park in off-beach lots. In the video, County Councilman Troy Kent called the program a "game changer."

"As a strong believer that those who pay taxes should be able to enjoy our greatest asset without additional costs, I'm proud to see this program in action," he said. "The revenue generated from visitor access will help offset the cost of maintaining and improving our beaches, lowering the financial obligation of our own residents."

Kent additionally spoke about the dog-friendly beach pilot program in Ormond Beach, as 2024 was the program's first full year. 

"I've heard from so many residents how much they appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the beach with their furry friends, and the community has been incredibly respectful, keeping their dogs on a leash and cleaning up after their companions," Kent said. "Keep up the good work so we can potentially make this program permanent."

Flooding is one of the biggest challenge facing Volusia County today, Councilman Don Dempsey said in the video. He highlighted the county's allocation of over $60 million for more than 14 projects to improve drainage and reduce storm impacts, as well as the federal funds granted to the county: $328.9 million from Hurricane Ian relief funds, and $133.5 million for Hurricane Milton. 

"I will work to ensure that as much of this funding as possible goes towards infrastructure improvements and storm mitigation as this is what the residents of Volusia County want and need," Dempsey said.

'WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE'

If residents, the county and its municipalities decide to work together, Brower said, he is confident they can accomplish anything. 

"Challenges are nothing new to Volusia County," Brower said. "We've faced hurricanes. We've faced wildfires, flooding and economic shifts that have all impacted our community, but what defines us is not the obstacles in our path, it's how we respond to them as a community."

During his address, Brower asked city elected officials and managers to stand. He said he wanted to show residents that they were present and engaged.

"They are working with the council, and we will work with them," Brower said. "While Volusia County plays a significant role in addressing these challenges that we now face, we cannot do it alone."

Brower used his address to advocate for home rule, saying that the best people to make decisions at the local level are those who live and work in the county. 

"We must put Volusia County taxpayers first," he said. "... The people who know and live in our community are best equipped to make decisions that reflect their needs and their values."

He also spoke about flooding, calling for "bold action" to be taken: the improvement of the stormwater management system, but also the implementation of new practices and technology. 

"We cannot move ahead relying on business as usual, but thoughtful and timely changes have made America the greatest country in the world," Brower said. "We have the opportunity to launch Volusia County into a future that protects every resident, unleashes free enterprises, reduces their tax burden and protects our environment for the enjoyment and good health of every resident, including our future residents — our children and grandchildren. That is the opportunity we all face today."

 

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