CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
YOUR TAXES AT WORK
The city’s new fiscal year began Oct. 1, and the adopted $379.8 MILLION BUDGET provides a comprehensive and balanced approach to funding the city’s operations. It is a responsible spending plan, a testament to our commitment to providing citizens with exceptional service. The adopted budget is balanced at a millage rate of 5.9300 mills. Increased valuations and record new growth, mainly from single-family residential construction, have provided for sustained budget conditions.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBERS
2025/2026 BUDGET
TAX BILL DISTRIBUTION
When you pay your annual property tax bill, the revenue is divided among several local agencies that provide essential public services. About 30% stays with the City of Daytona Beach to support police and fire protection, parks & recreation, road maintenance and other city operations. The remaining goes to Volusia County government, the School Board and other regional agencies that provide countywide services such as public education, libraries, environmental conservation and water management.
Volusia County - 35.68%
School Board - 25.63% City - 29.82% Downtown Development Authority - 4.91%
Hospital Authority - 1.52% Saint Johns River Water Management District - 0.88% Mosquito Control District - 0.77% Ponce Inlet & Port Authority - 0.32%
36% 30% 26%
City of Daytona Beach www.DaytonaBeach.gov 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
$379.8 MILLION 2025/2026 ADOPTED BUDGET
Personnel Services represent the largest portion of expenditures at 31.8%, reflecting the city’s investment in its workforce to deliver essential services. Operating costs and other expenses, which include budgeted reserves and interfund transfers, account for a combined 58.9% of the budget.
32%
30%
EXAMPLES: Budgeted Reserves & Interfund Transfers
Personnel Services - 31.81% Capital - 3.38% Dept Services - 5.59% Operating - 29.36% Other Expenses - 29.48% Grants & Aid - 0.36%
30%
* Other expenses are budgeted reserves (Including fiscal integrity reserves) & interfund transfers
// Grants & Aid
$159.6 MILLION GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
The General Fund is a government’s primary operating fund. It accounts for city services such as public safety, street maintenance, community services, parks & recreation, cultural activities and general government activities.
4%
4%
Police - 34.2% Public Works - 14.53% Fire - 13.45%
Central Charges - 17.61%
GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURES $159.6 MILLION
5%
34%
Arts & Entertainment 4.41% Parks & Recreation - 3.99% City Manager’s Office - 4.71% Business Enterprise Management - 2.17%
13%
Finance - 1.92% City Attorney’s Office - 1.17%
15%
18%
Growth Management & Planning - 1.02%
City Clerk’s Office - 0.42%
Internal Auditor’s Office - 0.22%
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2025/2026 BUDGETED PROJECTS & CAPITAL ITEMS
PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECTS
OTHER BUDGETED PROJECTS & CAPITAL ITEMS
✓ ✓
Patrol Rugged Laptop Replacements $920,000 Patrol Hand Gun Trade-In $186,150
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Road Resurfacing Program (Roads & Sidewalks) $4,000,000 East ISB Streetscape $3,052,803
Utilities Vehicle Replacement $1,478,300 Air Conditioners - City Wide $422,390 Beach Street Redevelopment $267,159 Recreation Court Resurfacing $202,000 Roof Repair & Replacement - City Wide $153,874 Land Acquisition - Ballough $105,411 South Atlantic CRA Streetscape $73,747 School Zone Signs $50,000 Atlantic Room Door Replacement $22,000
CONTINUED ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM
CITY WORKFORCE
+14
NEWLY ADDED POSITIONS ARE: Equipment Operator II (4)
Personnel expenditures are generally one of the largest
+ + + + + + +
+
Firefighters (3)
and most essential components of any annual budget. As such, they represent 32% of the city’s total expenditures. Sixteen new positions have been added and two have been removed from the city’s workforce, bringing the number of budgeted employees to 1,025.
Telecommunications Specialist (2) Irrigation Technician (2) Audit Staff (1) Heavy Equipment Operator (1) Equipment Operator III (1) GIS/Applications Specialist (1) +
Fire Inspector (1)
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Personnel expenditures make up 31.8% of the city’s total budget and 54.3% of the General Fund, underscoring the city’s commitment to investing in its workforce. The adopted budget includes a 3% salary increase effective October 2025 and an additional 2% increase effective April 2026 for all eligible employees. In addition to these increases, the city has taken steps to establish a minimum living wage of $35,360 annually ($17 per hour) for entry-level positions. To enhance the recruitment and retention of sworn public safety personnel, those employees will receive a 3% increase effective October 2025 and an additional increase of 4% in April 2026. Further, the city agreed to enhancements to the Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension Plan, including an increase to the maximum pension benefit and extending the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to eight years.
These adjustments ensure competitive pay and continued recognition as an employer of choice.
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach CCi tiyt yoof fDDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh || wwwwww. D. Daayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh. g. goovv || 330011SS. .RRi di dggeewwooooddAAvvee. ,. ,DDaayyt ot onnaaBBeeaacchh
CONGRATULATIONS TO DEPUTY CHIEF JESSICA MATTHEWS
Daytona Beach Fire Department Deputy Chief Matthews recently completed the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Daytona Program, an 11-week leadership development experience that connects participants with local leaders and community operations through interactive sessions and presentations. As part of the program, participants collaborated on a capstone community project to showcase their leadership growth and teamwork. We are proud of Deputy Chief Matthews for her dedication to professional excellence and her commitment to serving the Daytona Beach community.
DRUG ABUSE RESPONSE TEAM’S STREETWALK More than 100 people accepted assistance offered during the Daytona Beach Drug Abuse Response Team’s (DART) Streetwalk last week, which focused on combating drug abuse and the mental health crisis along the Ridgewood corridor. Community Paramedicine Officer Travis Anderson coordinated the outreach effort, which coincided with a Resource Fair at 316 North St., offering health screenings, recovery programs, basic necessities and mental health support. Dozens of people representing more than 15 community partners canvased Ridgewood Avenue from Beville Road to Mason Avenue. Community partners included the Daytona Beach Fire and Police departments, SMA Healthcare, Halifax Health, Volusia- Flagler Homeless Coalition, ReNew Recovery Café, Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, Foundations 2 Freedom, Volusia Recovery Alliance, One Voice for Volusia, Flagler Cares, Oxford House, Flagler OARS, Helping Hands (Our Lady of Lourdes), CAN Community Health, White Sands and Speak Up Tomorrow Needs You.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Daytona Beach firefighters visited schools across the city to teach students about fire safety and prevention. Crews shared hands-on demonstrations and important lessons on how to stay safe at home and in the classroom. The Fire Department also promoted fire safety on their social media accounts, focusing on lithium-ion battery safety. Through education and community engagement, the Daytona Beach Fire Department continues its mission to keep residents informed, prepared and fire safe.
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IN THE WORKS
CYPRESS PARK PLAYGROUND: Progress continues with crews wrapping up the final stages of construction. Drainage improvements have been completed, and installation of the ribbon curbing around the playground is now underway. Once the curbing is complete, crews will install a pour-in-place surface, which will create a smooth, safe play area. The surfacing installation is expected to take about a week once work begins. The project is on track to be completed by the end of November.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
LENOX PARK PLAYGROUND FALL ZONE: The new fall zone at Lenox Park Playground is now complete. Crews have installed a new safety surfacing designed to provide a softer, more durable play area for children. With the upgrades now finished, Lenox Playground is fully open daily from dawn to dusk.
PROJECT COMPLETE
BOARDWALK BEACH ACCESS STAIRS: Work continues on the Boardwalk Stairs project, though recent king tides and seaweed have slowed progress. While the tides have limited access to some areas, crews are moving forward as conditions allow. Crews are currently focused on ramp construction, with plans to complete three of the four ramps before beginning work on the new stair sections. SICKLER PARK REPAIRS: Restoration of the damaged observation pier at Sickler Park is expected to begin by the end of the year. While the existing timber piles are in good condition and will remain in place, all new structural components will be securely reattached. Additional repairs include rebuilding a 102-foot concrete seat wall, restoring five parking spaces that were undermined and improving the surrounding upland area with new grading, sod and erosion protection. A new aluminum handrail along the seawall will be added as well.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UPCOMING PROJECT
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UPCOMING EVENTS
FREE TO ATTEND ARTISAN MARKET AT YSG Saturday, Oct. 18 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1000 Vine St., Daytona Beach Presented by Zone 5 City Commissioner Dannette Henry
BIKETOBERFEST Oct. 16 through Oct. 19 Various locations throughout Daytona Beach.
FREE TO ATTEND COASTAL FEASIBILITY STUDY MEETING Thursday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. FREE TO ATTEND COMMUNITY MEETING & DINNER Thursday, Oct. 23 6 p.m. 129 Valor Blvd. Presented by Zone 5 City Commissioner Dannette Henry
FREE TO ATTEND BCU HOMECOMING PARADE
Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
FREE TO ATTEND HALIFAX ART FESTIVAL Nov. 1 through Nov. 2 Beach Street and from Orange Ave. to Bay Street
Presented by The Guild of the Museum of Arts and Sciences
FREE TO ATTEND FIRE PREVENTION NIGHT Friday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. Beach Street and Magnolia Ave. Presented by the Daytona Beach Fire Department
FREE TO ATTEND HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY
Saturday, Nov. 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Public Works facility, 950 Bellevue Ave.
City of Daytona Beach | www.DaytonaBeach.gov | 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
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