The council unanimously passed resolutions awarding non-exclusive commercial solid waste collection and disposal franchises to Anderson Rentals, Hover Construction Company, and JJ’s Waste and Recycling.

In a move to bolster the county’s environmental infrastructure, an amendment to an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was approved, securing an additional $12.7 million in funding for the Southeast Regional Water Wastewater Reclamation facility. The importance of incorporating this funding into the budget or a budget resolution was underscored during the meeting.

Also on the agenda was a five-year capital projects plan, which included large-scale projects such as a new judicial court complex and sheriff administration complex, as well as southeast area landfill construction. While the plan was presented for informational and planning purposes, it was made clear that the actual allocation of funds for specific projects would require future council approval. Notably, the Motocross project was mentioned, clarifying that while planning funds were budgeted, the council’s approval would still be necessary for contract awarding at a later date.

The issue of towing rates generated considerable debate. The council discussed the sheriff’s department’s current non-consensual tow rate, capped at $375, and the process of comparing these rates with those in other counties. The sheriff’s department is tasked with ensuring compliance with the ordinance, including spot checks on invoices. A new web page is being developed to inform the public about their towing rights in accordance with recent legislative rules. Concerns were raised by council members about the age of the current rates, which have not changed for over two decades, and the impact of future increases on small businesses and consumers.

During the public participation section of the meeting, several speakers from the towing industry called for a raise in towing rates, citing increased operating costs such as insurance, employment, and fuel. They advocated for rates to be aligned with those in Flagler County, particularly for law enforcement towing. There was also a suggestion to amend the council’s rules to allow questions to be asked to speakers during public comments.

The council examined the implications of a rate increase for the sheriff’s office and the Florida Highway Patrol, with one council member questioning the impact on consumers and enforcement of the rates by the sheriff’s office. The discussion explored the contractual nature of non-consensual towing and the fees remitted by towing companies to the sheriff’s office.

Another point of contention was the allocation of funds for various county projects. Concerns were voiced about using general fund money for a Motocross track, leading to a motion to allocate funds solely from the Echo fund. This sparked a debate among the council members, with some expressing reservations about pigeonholing the funding while others stressed the importance of considering various funding sources and partnerships.

The council also discussed the need to enhance security at the courthouse on City Island and the possibility of adding courtrooms. Judges highlighted the urgency of addressing security and space issues and requested the courthouse project be included in the five-year Capital Needs Work Plan. The council appeared receptive to the judges’ concerns and expressed a willingness to consider their recommendations.

Discussions about the use of body cameras by code enforcement officers also took center stage. The council debated the legal implications and potential risks, with one council member proposing to table the item indefinitely due to the lack of legal protections for code enforcement officers. The suggestion was made to shift the burden of recording interactions to citizens, allowing them to record and have those recordings admissible in court.

The council addressed the vacancies on the historic preservation board by voting to reduce its size from nine to five members. Additionally, the council proposed discussing potential charter amendments, with staff tasked to provide guidelines and historical information on past charter amendments for the next meeting.

During the public participation portion, citizens addressed the economic importance of Daytona Beach and the need for collaboration between the county and the city. Updates were provided on the implementation of a burn ban, the closure of the ISB ramp for construction, and the release of 2 million clams into the Indian River Lagoon to improve water quality.