A Letter To DeSantis, New Fire Station On Tap For Volusia County Council Meeting

DeLand, FL – A letter to the governor and a new fire station are just some of the topics the Volusia County Council plans on discussing come Tuesday’s meeting. Dear DeSantis The letter seeks to prevent Governor Ron DeSantis from signing a newly approved SB 620—known as the Local Business Protection Act. If approved by DeSantis, SB 620 would allow a private business to claim damages against the county for an ordinance, or amendment to an ordinance, if it causes at least a 15 percent reduction in the profits; as long as the business has been active under the county’s jurisdiction for three years prior to the ordinance.  The county fears this could have a preemptive effect on an ordinance a local government could enact to protect the life, health, safety, and welfare of its communities.  “Each year, the Florida Legislature chips away at the authority of elected city and county representatives. But the Legislature is not local government,” the county said in a draft of the letter provided in Tuesday’s agenda. “Local government is the closest to the voters and its legislative authority has an important role in our democracy.” The county further stated the law could “generate lawsuits seeking to undermine the ability of local governments.” One specific ordinance mentioned by the county was one that governs the hours of operation on late night bars and clubs. The county is also concerned that the bill could also affect animal control provisions on puppy mills and measures banning internet cafes. “These are issues that generate concerns by residents that are best handled by local government, not Tallahassee. SB 620 is bad policy and undermines the quality of life our residents deserve. We thank you for your dutiful service to the residents of Florida and appreciate your consideration of our request,” wrote the county. The council will discuss the letter on Tuesday, where they are likely to move forward with signing and mailing it. County To Buy Future Home Of Fire Station 15 If all goes well on Tuesday, the council is expected to approve the $700,000 expenditure to buy the United Way building on International Speedway Boulevard. Once purchased, the county will begin work to convert the facility into the new home for Fire Station 15. The current station actually sits down the road from the proposed new location, but Volusia County Fire Rescue Chief Howard Bailey says the department can better serve the area from the new location. While they’re not far apart, moving directly onto ISB will grant VCFR the opportunity for more direct access to I-95 and I-4, which also decreases response times; which would prove most beneficial for the facility that also hosts Volusia’s countywide HAZMAT response. “It just changes the whole dynamics of the response for that station,” said VCFR Deputy Chief Joe King. King said it takes about two and a half minutes just to reach ISB from the station’s current location. The current station was built in 1994 and was supposed to just serve as a training facility. It’s also rather small, leaving just 735 square feet of space for the firefighters that live and work there. The new location would give the VCFR just under 6,000 square feet to work with.  The $700,000 price was initially earmarked for renovations to the new facility, but the county eventually decided to negotiate with the United Way, who was already planning on relocating. The Volusia County Council meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. You can find the livestream and archive of past meetings by clicking here.