Daytona Beach, FL - Volusia County is giving the public a chance to offer input on an approved list of proposed projects starting tonight (March 4th).
That list was formalized during the County Council meeting two weeks ago and each of those projects could get funded should a half-cent sales tax increase be approved by voters during a special election this May
"Part of this is to solicit some input on project prioritization," said John Angiulli, Public Works Director for Volusia County
Ormond Beach will also be a part of that special election with a vote to amend commissioners' terms.
Four meetings have been scheduled and each takes place in different impact fee zones around the county. The first is tonight at 6:30 in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center (123 West Indiana Avenue in DeLand).
At those meetings, the public will be able to view projects specific to that impact fee zone, as well as projects that involve shared county roads.
"[The county focus is] unincorporated areas as well as county roads that may run within cities," noted Angiulli.
If approved, Volusia's cities would get a share of the revenue generated by the tax. Angiulli says the county expects around $45 million total to be generated every year for the next 20 years if the voters OK the increase.
Not all projects are road projects. Some projects will deal with water quality issues around the county, stormwater management and flood mitigation.
Displays during the meetings will show residents exactly which projects could get funded. Attendees will also be able to engage with the Public Works department and leave comment cards with their input.
The proposed half-cent sales tax ordinance lets the county establish a citizens advisory committee to review which projects get funded.
That committee will have 17 members, 16 of whom would be nominated by a city and appointed by the county council. The county council will appoint the last member. Each member will have four-year terms but serve at the will of the council.
The other three public meetings regarding the sales tax and the proposed projects will take place at the following locations from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. that day:
One or more County Council members are expected to attend each meeting. Reservations are not required.
