Patricia Northey Volusia County Council District 5

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1 Patricia Northey Volusia County Council District 5 COUNTY COUNCIL UPDATE January 2014 It is a brand New Year, an opportunity for reflection and renewal. As has been my practice in the January Newsletter, here is an annual review of the prior year. As your County Council Member, I am pleased to report that, working together with our talented administrative staff, the Council continues to focus on sustaining service levels while reducing costs through efficiencies, investing in technology, improving our business processes and restructuring our organization in a manner that is very business friendly. Our goal is to professionally and responsibly provide quality services to citizens and protect and best utilize valuable public resources. We are a government that continues to set the standard for quality services provided to the public efficiently and effectively. And we are without a doubt one of the most stable and responsive governments in the state. 1

2 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW An operating budget of $597,114,471 was approved for FY This included a 3% wage adjustment for employees funded through ongoing workforce reductions. The County Council was actively involved in further reductions, making policy decisions related to budget cuts and identifying budgetary priorities. Sixteen mini-budget workshops were presented at County Council meetings in James Moore & Co., the County s external auditor, presented a five-year financial forecast for fiscal years to the County Council. The forecast covered the County s 43 major funds representing 98.7% of the County s total budget. County services and programs were kept largely intact and no employees were laid off or furloughed. Positions eliminated or unfunded since 2007 total 572, even with the addition of consolidated dispatching and EVAC. I continue to communicate with the Mayors of Southwest Volusia on a regular basis. I appreciate the Mayors open and frank discussion on issues of mutual concern. In addition, this newsletter, now in its eight year, is my commitment to you to enhance council and constitute communication. My contacts numbers are available at the end of this newsletter and on the web. Distribution of the newsletter is growing and the distribution list now reaches about 1500 people in the district and in the county. Additionally, it is forwarded to many not on the e-list. It is also available on a number of web sites serving the district. With the new county web site, we are sending it to you via a web-based product that makes it easier for your review. I hope you find it useful and informational. This is a public record and it is intended for broad distribution. It may be shared. Please feel free to me at pnorthey@volusia.org on any issue you are concerned about or want more information. Construction of the DeBary Train Station at Ft. Florida is just about complete. If you have not driven by the station along 17-92, I would encourage you to check it out. Trains are scheduled to roll into the station this Spring. Testing along the tracks (and in Volusia) has been on going. Votran, our bus service provider, will be adding express service that will get you to the station fast and reliably. Parking will also be available on site. I am convinced this project can remake our west side cities, improving livability and promote the greening of our environment. Most important is the economic impact of such an important project to the County. 2

3 While some see Volusia County as the end of the rail line, I prefer to see it as the starting point for our County. We have so much to offer our visitors and residents. Opportunity to explore our community will abound in addition to providing our outbound commuters a low cost alternative to the gridlock on Interstate 4. Want more information on the project? Go to and you can find out just about anything you want to know about this important project. As a former I-4 hostage, I am excited that a project as important as this will soon be moving commuters here in Volusia County and in the region. The new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Sheriff's Office Communications Center opened in February. The Communications Center was the crucial last step in establishing a fullyintegrated facility under County government/the Sheriff's Office for the dispatching of all law enforcement, fire services and emergency medical services for the entire County. This facility was paid for in cash, and it has been a monumental accomplishment that has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the County's public safety response system. It saves millions of dollars a year to the County s total citizenry by avoiding expenses associated with numerous cities operating multiple communications centers. The former EOC building is being renovated to serve as a redundant data center for Information Technology. The former Communications Center also is being remodeled and will become a training center and office, eliminating a $50,000 annual lease. Twenty-nine new artificial reefs were created this year, bringing the total to 114 and exceeding our goal to double the original reef system in two years. The program supports the regional marine industry by building marine habitat on the near shore continental shelf using clean, donated concrete culverts, structures, utility poles, bridge pilings and steel ships and barges. A contract was awarded to design the new, high-rise bridge that will replace the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Daytona Beach, over the Halifax River. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) is assisting the design team with the pedestrian/bike features, ADA compliance, 3

4 fishing piers, lighting and aesthetics. The new bridge will be a true tribute to all veterans and a showcase structure over the Intracoastal Waterway. An additional $770,000 in federal funding was secured for the Turnbull Bay Bridge in the NSB area for traffic phasing maintenance during construction, avoiding a lengthy year-long detour for residents. Federal grant funds were secured to improve drainage in Orange City s Miller Lake, which flooded during Tropical Storm Fay. Four properties were acquired and excavated to expand the Lake s capacity, providing flood protection for adjacent residential and commercial properties. In addition, the section of Miller Road bordering the Lake was elevated and paved. The project was 100 percent grant funded and is now complete. The design phase of the future Citizen's Convenience Center at the Tomoka Landfill began in July. The Convenience Center will allow residents regular garbage, recycling, construction materials, etc., away from commercial vehicles and heavy equipment and safety improvements were made to the baffling and berm systems at the Robert Strickland Shooting Range in Daytona Beach. The Water Resources and Utilities Division secured a $1.1 million cost-sharing grant to build a reclaimed water transmission main from the City of Sanford to the West Volusia service area. This alternative water and springs protection project was one of the St. Johns River Water Management District's highest ranked projects. It will increase the reclaimed water supply necessary to meet future customer demands and reduce potable water use for irrigation purposes. Construction is scheduled to begin early next year. Grant funds were awarded for the following construction projects at County parks: renovating restrooms at the New Smyrna Sugar Mill Ruins (federal funds); adding a playground, basketball court and volleyball court to Strickland Park in Holly Hill (federal 4

5 funds); remodeling the restroom and paving the shell roadway and parking lot at Highbridge Park in Ormond Beach (state funds); and the design, engineering and construction of the DeBary Hall roof, decking and balustrades (ECHO funds). A new fishing dock/boat ramp and a canoe/kayak launch were built at Mariners Cove Park in Enterprise. The boat ramp provides access to Lake Monroe through Bethel Creek and is ideal for small Jon boats and canoes. Renovations that included new support beams and decking were completed at the Spring House at Gemini Springs Park in DeBary. Repairs also were made to the Caretaker s House on the property. A construction contract was approved to develop the Beck Property in Osteen to include restrooms, a pavilion, dog park, parking, trails, volleyball, playground and interpretive signage. More than 2.8 million Volusia residents visited the County s libraries this year, checking out more than 4.1 million items. Networked library resources were accessed more than 4.2 million times, and the number of downloaded electronic books increased by 43 percent. More than 109,000 people attended the 2,200 library programs for children, teens and adults. Laptop computer labs (E-labs) purchased by the were used in six libraries to help citizens register for accounts, create resumes and apply for jobs and government assistance. Service requests for Mosquito Control have dropped 65% from , due to an aggressive campaign to control mosquito production coupled with an enhanced public education effort. 22% of requests for service came through the County s website. 5

6 The Volusia County/University of Florida IFAS Extension office presented approximately 2,500 educational programs and answered more than 70,000 telephone calls and s. Extension faculty made more than 340 field visits to assist residents. Point of sale devices that allow residents to pay and have their permits issued immediately were installed in the County s DeLand and Daytona Beach Permit offices. This eliminates the need for customers to travel between the Permit and Revenue offices to pay permit fees. The Growth and Resource Management, Public Protection, and Public Works departments collaborated to improve the County s Community Rating System for flood insurance from a Class 6 to a Class 5. This saved residents in unincorporated Volusia a total of more than $850,000 annually, an average of $170 per policy. Twenty percent more camping and use permits were issued for County conservation properties, allowing more citizens to experience the County s natural lands. A new group camping area was created at Wiregrass Preserve. The Veterans Office this year secured $179 million in compensation and pension payments to Volusia veterans, with an additional $18 million in retroactive funds. The office serves 10,000 veterans each year. Votran ridership increased for the sixth consecutive year, with fixed route ridership reaching more than 3.7 million boardings, an increase of 4.6 percent. Service improvements that cut the wait time between buses along the heavily used U.S. 1 routes boosted boardings by as much as 15 percent and were completely paid for by state funding. Beach Safety Ocean Rescue personnel rescued more than 2,100 people from the surf, treated 276 first aid cases, located 113 missing children and assisted more than 2,300 stranded motorists. These beachgoers were given newly created Information Reference Cards providing them with contact and follow up information on rip currents, jellyfish/stingray stings and beach safety. The number of spay/neuter surgeries performed by the County s Pet Vet Cruiser in unincorporated Volusia, DeLand and South Daytona grew by 149 this year to more than 2,500. The increased use of the Cruiser coupled with the County s mandatory spay/neuter ordinance resulted in 300 fewer animals impounded by Animal Control. 6

7 One of the best-kept secrets in our County, I am pleased to report that more people are recognizing the easy in and out of our airport. Centrally located at the crossroads of Interstate 95 and Interstate 4, it is a short drive to fly locally. Total passenger traffic at DBIA exceeded 600,000 for 2013, the highest level since Landings and take-offs reached 300,000, making DBIA one of the top three most active airports in Florida. The most fully developed, community-based air service proposal in DBIA s history was developed and presented to JetBlue Airways with an overall value of $2.2 million. A $250,000 travel bank representing 30 area businesses was created to offer a startup bank of pre-paid airline tickets, plus an agreement to fund $400,000 in upfront marketing in New York City. Volusia County s three advertising agencies are paying for half for the marketing costs. A final decision from JetBlue is expected in Keep your fingers crossed that we land Jet Blue (and what a great addition that would be) and thank you to Delta for your continued confidence in our airport. In other airport news, a new $7 million in-line baggage conveyor system upgrade is expected to be finished in May This project was paid for in part with federal and state funds. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University continued to make permanent capital improvements and upgrades to its campus, this year spending approximately $280 million on infrastructure and an Arts and Sciences building. The University s multi-year program is providing hundreds of construction jobs for County residents. A 1,300-square-foot news and gift concession in the central terminal concourse was developed by national airport concession operators Faber Coe and Gregg of Florida, Inc. Our airport is an enterprise department, meaning it makes money and does NOT cost you the taxpayer anything to run it. It has been my goal to bring our I-4 hostages home to good paying jobs on this side of the bridge. It is important that we promote our local businesses and work to grow them by reducing the costs of government, while providing them with help through our Economic Development Department. This was a year of council commitment to growing JOBS in our County. Below is a recap of some of the efforts made by County government in meeting that commitment. The County committed $250,000 to the University of Central Florida to continue managing the Business Incubator at DBIA for a third year. UCF is a leader in business incubation with an impressive record of accomplishment in preparing growth-oriented businesses for the global marketplace. Eleven companies are currently in the program and 55 jobs have been created. 7

8 A study to determine the viability of a Business Incubator in West Volusia was completed and will be reviewed with the County Council in December. Team Volusia received $250,000 from the County for a third year to recruit new companies and jobs. As of November 1, Team Volusia was working to recruit 14 qualified projects representing 2,000 potential jobs and possible capital expenditures exceeding $65 million. While Team Volusia has taken the lead in recruiting new companies and jobs, this allows the County to focus its efforts on growing existing businesses. Local financial support was secured for the following expansion/retention projects: February 2013: Kingspan Insulated Panels, Inc., 30 new positions with salaries at 115% of the County average and $2.5 million in new capital investments; April 2013: DMEautomotive, 50 new positions with salaries at 146% of the County average, and $800,000 in new capital investments; October 2013: Boston Whaler, Inc., 46 new positions, with salaries at 127% of the County average, and $7 million in new capital investments; November 2013: Frontier Communications Corp., 139 new positions with salaries at 115% of the County average and $2 million in new capital investment. Eleven local companies completed the County-sponsored GrowFL program aimed at boosting revenue and employment. Funding has been secured for 14 local companies to meet with area CEOs for the new Executive Roundtable initiative to be led by the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College. Volusia County continues to green its fleet with 27 hybrid-electric vehicles and 442 flex-fuel (ethanol) vehicles. These vehicles dramatically increase fuel efficiency and reduce green house gas emissions. The County s first Thermal Ice Storage system was incorporated into the new Emergency Operations/Consolidated Dispatch Center. This achieved the lowest metered rate available and resulted in a $47,040 rebate from Florida Power & Light. Votran bought ten new hybrid-diesel buses to replace aging vehicles and expand services. Federal grant funding completely covered the $625,000 cost of each bus. The new buses will increase fuel efficiency and reduce diesel emissions. 8

9 Cleanup days held throughout the year along the St. Johns and Halifax Indian rivers, the beach, and the Ponce Inlet jetty drew thousands of volunteers who collected tons of trash and debris. Marsh restoration efforts in conjunction with the St. Johns River Water Management District continued with almost 74 acres of tidal wetlands restored this year, including significant acreage in Canaveral National Seashore. The County's Sustainability Action Plan encourages the restoration of tidal wetlands and salt marshes. A total of 473 acres have been restored since The award winning Farmton Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was approved, establishing policies that will govern the natural resource management of the property in perpetuity. You can see what other Green initiatives we are doing as a county by visiting Partnerships: Partnerships on numerous projects with municipalities, state and federal agencies, non-profit and private organizations have allowed the County to avoid duplication and ensure the efficient use of public tax dollars. Some of those partnerships are noted below. A 50/50 cost sharing agreement with the City of Holly Hill will allow a sidewalk to be built along two adjoining roads, Calle Grande Street and Golf Avenue between Ridgewood Avenue and Nova Road. This addresses a critical safety need. As part of a cost sharing agreement with the City of Daytona Beach, Volusia County contributed $1.66 million and secured an additional $4.7 million in state grant funding to be applied toward the City s overall $13.26 million roadway and drainage reconstruction project for Orange Avenue between Nova Road and Beach Street. The County partnered with the City of Port Orange to implement a 2005 contract to develop and finalize a funding agreement for the 2.6 mile, four-lane extension of South Williamson Boulevard from Airport Road in Port Orange to Pioneer Trail in New Smyrna Beach. The public-private funding agreement includes the County contributing $9.8 million, the City contributing $500,000 and the property owner donating 100% of the needed right of way for the project. The Marine Science Center (MSC) continued its partnership with the University of Florida Aquatic Medicine Program to provide veterinary care and secured new collaborations. Consolidated Tomoka Land Company is assisting with long range planning and designs for the MSC, and PNC Bank will be the lead sponsor for Turtle Day The County joined the Central Florida Partnership s Open for Business initiative, designed to promote streamlined permitting. This was accomplished through the Connect Live Permits web portal and the creation of an ombudsman position whose function is to shepherd projects through the permitting process. 9

10 Human Services partnered with several agencies and the Cities of DeLand and Deltona to plan and implement Access West Volusia, which offers services and resources to West Volusia residents. Multiple County divisions, the Health Department and Bethune-Cookman University teamed up to sponsor Camp Fun & Fit. The week-long summer camp for ages 8-12 was created to help children learn about healthy eating and exercise while having fun. Fire Services continued its outreach to municipalities to discuss combining resources and colocating personnel to provide the best level of service to citizens within unincorporated Volusia County. As a result, County firefighters will be housed along with City of New Smyrna Beach firefighters in a new firehouse the City is constructing. The Sheriff s Office took the lead role in curbing the escalating cost of cleaning up meth labs by establishing a fully-trained, countywide Meth Clean-Up Task Team. The Team combines resources and shares the responsibility of cleaning up meth labs so that the task and costs involved don t over-burden any one single agency. We continue to work on a number of other projects with our municipalities, state, and federal agencies, non-profit and private organizations that allow the County to avoid duplication and ensure the efficient use of public tax dollars. 1. Designing and constructing the East Central Regional Rail Trail pedestrian bridges over State Road 415 in the Osteen/Deltona area ($1.96 million) and over State Road 442 in Edgewater ($2.1 million). Both projects are under way, with groundbreakings scheduled for January 24. See Places to go and things to Do at the end of the newsletter for more info. 2. Designing and building the Spring to Spring Trail s missing link from Mansion Boulevard in DeBary under Interstate 4 to Deltona Boulevard. The cost of the project is $433,000 and it is under way. 3. A design/build contractor has been selected for the segment of the Spring to Spring Trail from French Avenue in Orange City through Blue Spring State Park to Detroit Terrace in DeBary. 10

11 While Volusia County has 22.1 miles of existing trails, the exciting news is that the Rail Trail Segments of the Coast-to-Coast Connector, a multi-use pathway that will cross the state from Edgewater-Titusville to St. Petersburg, have been funded. All Volusia County segments of this important recreation and nature based tourism asset are in the 5-year construction plans for trails. We also continue to work on an alignment through the west side of DeBary for the Spring-to- Spring that up to now has been a bit elusive. In addition to completing the Spring to Spring and the Coast to Coast, I am focusing on the need to complete the River to Sea Loop, a trail that when completed will connect us with four other counties and potentially Seminole County as well. We are working on filling in the asphalt gaps. To that end I have convened an annual meeting of the partners and we are working together to determine how we can accelerate the construction of the missing links. We are also in the process of identifying the unfunded and unaligned segments for the loop in Volusia County, with additional miles in the other counties. Thanks to the Volusia TPO for stepping up to fund that project. You can keep up with all things around the Loop by liking the Facebook page: Not only will this loop and these local trails provide recreation for our community, they will help to get us healthy as they can be used by everyone at every level of ability for exercise. Finally, it is the annual economic impact of cyclists that is estimated to be almost nine times greater than the one time expenditure of public funds to construct the bicycle facilities (NCDOT) that makes sense of our efforts to promote trails. Check out our new Trails web site to view the maps and amenities of our trail system. From there you can visit the newly launched State Trail site: And look for a mobile APP coming your way this year with all you need to know to enjoy the ride! County-Council-Member-District-5/ I will be posting content on County Council issues regularly to this page. Like the page to get the most recent Council News. And on Twitter: 11

12 You can find many of our County services on Facebook and Twitter as well. You can also sign up for notifications from the manager s office, parks, rec and culture, emergency management and other important county PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO! We are blessed to live here in Volusia County. The weather is perfect this time of year. Now is the time to get out and explore our wonderful trails and natural assets. Begin by going on line to and check out Volusia ECHO, Volusia Forever, Parks and Culture, and Libraries from the drop down menu for places to go and things to see! New Listings Southwest Volusia Martin Luther King Events: January 19: 1 Breakfast Celebration at New Hope Baptist Church (2855 Lake Helen-Osteen Rd Deltona, FL 32738) 9:00AM; Tickets $10.00 Contact Mike for tickets January 20: Gospel Program 4:00-6:00 PM at Deltona Alliance; 921Deltona Blvd; Followed by candlelight vigil New Listing January 24 th : Come join us as we break ground on two new Rail Trail Ped overpasses for the Coast to Coast Trail. We will be in Edgewater at 9am at the SW corner of State Road 442 & Cow Creek; just east of I95 and at 11:00am, you will find us in Osteen at the Civic Center. Just look for the cranes. New Listing January : Orange City, Blue Springs Manatee Festival at Valentine Park in Orange City. Just 12

13 FEBRUARY 8 TH : The FLORIDA SCRUB JAY FESTIVAL returns to the Lyonia Environmental Center, one of my early projects as your County Council Member. The weather will be wonderful this time of year. Come on out and enjoy the fun! New Listing February 15th Off is being held from 11 to 3; Enterprise Heritage Center. It s time to start planning your winning entry in the 7 th Annual Old Enterprise Chili Cook-off! For more information, contact Chili Cook-off organizers: Ed Sullivan, chair, or Cindy Sullivan at or Cindy at cindy-sullivan@cfl.rr.com. New Listing March 1, 2014: kicks off at 11:00am along Woodland Blvd. in Deland. Dogs, Dogs, and more Dogs everywhere! The theme is "Derby Dogs" so start working on your costumes now!!! Stay after the parade for all the furry festival fun. As A New Year Begins, There Are New Goals, New Projects, And Fresh Ideas To Bring To The Table. I Am Ready To Take On New Challenges In Please Share Your Thoughts And Ideas With Me And I Will Share My 2014 Goals With You As Well As Update You On The Boards And Committees That I Serve On As Your Council Representative. Look For This in the February Edition of This Newsletter. 13

14 Please note: This is a monthly newsletter, written and edited by yours truly, updating you on what is happening in Volusia County. This is a public record and is intended for broad distribution. It may be shared. Please feel free to me on any issue you are concerned. My address for official county business is: pnorthey@volusia.org, and you can reach me at the numbers O) ; F) C) ( update info from the annual accomplishments report; Photo credits: Artificial Reef photo by Jeff Crumbley; Park opening photos provided by Ormond Beach and NSB; all others provided by Pat Northey) Volume 8: Issue # 1 14