The meeting’s most notable topic was a proposal by Robert Flity from Deltona, who addressed pedestrian safety, citing concerning statistics about pedestrian fatalities in the United States, particularly in Florida. He pointed out that the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metro area was identified as the most dangerous in the nation for pedestrians, according to a report from Smart Growth America. Flity advocated for the creation of a publicly accessible pedestrian safety data portal, independent of law enforcement, to enhance transparency and accessibility of data regarding pedestrian deaths and injuries. He urged the council to consider an amendment on the 2026 ballot that would mandate the county to maintain this data portal, which would be updated quarterly and managed by a designated data steward to ensure data integrity.

Following this, Robert Sanchez from Edgewater presented a series of proposed charter amendments aimed at safeguarding constitutional rights and curbing county overreach. He shared personal experiences with county inspections, which he claimed often infringe upon Fourth Amendment rights due to unwarranted entries. Sanchez proposed annual training for code enforcement agents on constitutional rights and required documented consent or warrants for property inspections. He also raised issues related to administrative hearings, asserting that his First Amendment rights were violated when relevant witnesses were not allowed to testify in his case. Sanchez urged the commission to enforce boards to hear constitutional claims and ensure individuals’ rights during administrative processes.

Sanchez further highlighted the problem of excessive fines, explaining that his property, purchased for $115,000, was subjected to $3 million in liens, which he deemed disproportionate. He proposed that the charter should impose caps on fines or require judicial review for liens exceeding property value. Additionally, he raised concerns about county actions that allegedly removed property from his name without proper notice or hearings, which he viewed as a violation of due process. To enhance citizen engagement in future charter review hearings, Sanchez suggested that the county send informational mailings with tax bills two years prior to the next review cycle to ensure better participation.

Transportation and environmental issues were also prominent during the meeting. Devin Morris, representing Walkable Volusia, discussed the county’s public transit needs. He noted that the county collects over $80 million annually in impact fees designated for transportation, yet all of this funding is allocated solely to road construction. Morris argued that road construction is both dangerous and costly and proposed that the county establish a permanent funding source for alternative modes of transportation, such as buses and shuttles. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to transportation that would increase accessibility and safety for all residents.

A subsequent speaker underscored the necessity for improved infrastructure for alternative transit options like bikeways and bike lanes. The speaker suggested a funding split of 70-30 or 80-20 for impact fees to enhance the Votran system and trails programs. The argument was made that the current underutilization of these transit modes stems from their unreliability and inefficiency. Enhancing these services, they contended, would not only promote safety but also improve quality of life and stimulate economic growth.

Environmental concerns were also brought to the forefront by Dr. Wendy Anderson, who expressed gratitude for the council’s service and emphasized the importance of clean drinking water for all residents. She proposed an amendment to the county charter that would establish minimum standards for environmental protection, outlining five key elements. These included keeping potable water sourcing, treatment, and distribution as a public good, avoiding privatization, and not banning potential water sources amid population growth and saltwater intrusion. She also proposed limiting the use of potable water for landscape irrigation once certain thresholds are reached, advocating for the use of stormwater and reclaimed wastewater instead. Additionally, Anderson suggested allowing gray water reuse for non-potable uses and demanded prompt action to address known contaminants in the water supply, regardless of federal leniency.