DCAC Works To Maintain West Volusia ECHO Funding

Chairman Bruno and Volusia County Council members,

I am writing you as Chairman of the Deltona Citizens Action Committee. Our committee recently heard rumors of the possibility that the majority, if not all, of the ECHO grant money may be channeled in to the development of off beach parking.  While that may be a worthwhile project, we strongly feel a single project for a single geographic area is not the intent of the ECHO grant program.

            In looking over past ECHO maps, you will note that although not always equally divided, the grants have encompassed all geographic areas each year.  You are to be commended for making that happen. We are a large county with many diverse needs. Many great projects in various cities may not have been able to have completed without the assistance of ECHO grants. It is imperative that we keep the intent of the ECHO grants and continue to make them available and spread over the entire County.

            I, myself, had the pleasure as a member of the 2008 Citizens Academy to view many of the outstanding projects the ECHO money assisted. To refresh your memory, just in West Volusia, these grants have assisted in the renovation of:  DeBary Hall in DeBary, Athens Theatre in DeLand, Stover Theatre in DeLand, Hopkins Hall in Lake Helen, Enterprise Heritage Museum in Enterprise and the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville, to name only a few.  ECHO funds have also helped develop the Gateway Center for the Arts in DeBary, the Environmental Learning Center Lyonia Preserve in Deltona as well as Deltona’s newest all inclusive handicapped accessible park.   At the same time these funds contributed to many East side projects in the Cities of Ormond, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, South Daytona, Port Orange, Edgewater and Oak Hill. The funds also have assisted in the development of the County wide trails, which still need continuing ECHO funds for completion.

            Again, the Deltona Citizens Action Committee urges you to continue the past practice of making the ECHO grants funds available to all geographic areas of our County.

Sincerely,

 Nancy Schleicher

Chairman Deltona Citizens Action Committee 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, May 1, 2009

CONTACT:

Nancy Schleicher,

Chairman

Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc.

1460 S. Baton Dr

Deltona, FL 32725

(386) 574-5664

Deltona takes first steps to new taxes and fees

Deltona, FL – Deltona officials unveiled their rough draft of next year’s spending plan last Saturday calling for a new $60 per year fire fee for all property owners and a tax increase of up to 12 percent. Residents in older homes could face staggering increases of nearly 40 percent according to an analysis performed by the Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee.

Meeting in jeans and shorts, Deltona commissioners and officials heard a presentation by Robert Clinger, Finance Director. The DCAC was on hand Saturday to cover the informal work session for residents.

Mr. Clinger had little good news for commissioners… or taxpayers.

“We are hoping that if there’s a decline in taxable value, it will not be greater than 12 percent,” Mr. Clinger said. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and it will only be five.

In order to maintain the same level of spending, Mr. Clinger said the property tax rate will need to be adjusted to a “rollback rate.” In times that the city’s taxable value increases, that rate declines. But as values recede as they have for the past year, that rate must increase to maintain budgeted income levels.

In an effort to balance the declining revenues, Mr. Clinger said all city departments were instructed to decrease spending by 10 percent, resulting in a $630,000 trim in spending.

Mr. Clinger said the budget proposal calls for 17 fewer employees than last year. City Manager Faith Miller said the reductions will primarily be reached through attrition and retirement. Mr. Clinger noted the staff reduction will continue a trend begun two years ago when staffing levels peaked at 392.

Mr. Clinger also noted general city services spending has decreased since 2008, when a peak of $38.4 million was budgeted. Last year, spending was budgeted at $32.5 million but actual spending will be closer to $31.5 million, he said.

The average Deltona home was valued at about $145,159 last year according to information provided to the DCAC by staff of Morgan B. Gilreath Jr.’s Property Appraiser’s Office.  After Homestead and other exemptions, the average taxable value for a single family Deltona home was $77,279. The taxable value is the amount used to calculate taxes on an individual property. That homeowner paid about $321 in city taxes. If the rollback rate drives the rate up five percent, that resident will pay $337 assuming no change in taxable value. That same resident will pay nearly $377 if the rollback rate increases by 12 percent.

Now, factor in the $60 per home fire fee and even with no change in the city taxes, the overall bill increases 19 percent! With just a moderate five percent rate increase, the impact to the resident increases by nearly 22 percent!

Owners of lower-valued homes will get hit hardest. Residents living in their own $100,000 home with a $50,000 exemption could see a 32 percent increase with a five percent rollback rate and the fire fee. Should the rollback rate be 12 percent, that same resident may see a nearly 40 percent increase in city taxes and fees.

City commissioners put in place the process to create a fire fee earlier this year. The fee will be used to fund fire operations including salaries. The fee, which requires no voter approval, is expected to raise about $2 million per year according to Mr. Clinger. A portion of the revenues will be used to finance the new Public Safety Center near Courtland Boulevard. The building is expected to cost $10 million or greater.

The DCAC opposes this fire fee, calling it little more than a tax and spend “shell game.”

In addition, the city will increase water rates by 17 percent this year in the second of a five-year “catch up” program.

However, Mr. Clinger defended city spending. “I’d like to put this in perspective,” he said, “that the spending level for the general fund represents one dollar per day per resident. In exchange for a dollar a day, we provide fire, parks, public works, code enforcement, construction services, etc.: A dollar a day.”

The average resident pays 39 cents per day in property taxes to fund municipal services, Mr. Clinger noted. Sheriff Ben Johnson was due praise for keeping their budget request low, Mr. Clinger said.

However, in documents provided to the DCAC by Capt. David Brannon, Deltona’s District Commander, the Sheriff’s Department is seeking to replace eight deputies cut last year by Deltona Commissioners. The documents show a request for an additional $1.2 million for three sergeants, seven deputies and one office assistant.

Mr. Clinger took the informal worksession to criticize the previous administration, led by City Manager Steve Thompson. “I think looking back now, historically, it seems pretty clear the commission was probably not led in the right direction in the 07/08 budget,” Mr. Clinger said. “This commission was led to believe we could drastically ramp up expenses and lower property taxes in the same year. Put another way, what this means is we went from long history of budgeting surpluses…. to ‘08, actually budgeting an operating deficit.”

Mr. Clinger also said the city anticipates state shared funding, sales taxes and service taxes will decline by five percent. Mr. Clinger said Deltona property taxes do not pay the full cost of the city’s Public Safety services. This year, the city will spend an estimated 17.5 million for law enforcement and fire safety services.

Formal budget discussions will begin this summer.

Materials from the work session materials can be found here.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

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DCAC Supports Mayor’s Pledge to Resign

March 1, 2009

Deltona, FL – The Deltona Citizens Action Committee is alarmed at the ongoing drama and embarrassment Mayor Dennis Mulder attracts to our community with his recent conduct. In the light of his apparent lack of understanding of the First Amendment’s right to personal expression, the DCAC will tonight ask commissioners to completely rescind their Feb. 16 decision to sue citizens and looks to Mayor Mulder to comply with his promise to resign in response.

In his Feb. 25 Press Release, created and issued using property taxes, Mayor Mulder made several remarks that it was criticism from the press that led him to get an opinion from an unnamed “law firm that specializes in First Amendment and constitutional issues.” Mayor Mulder further stated that he had really wanted those lawyers to tell him “that it was possible for the City of Deltona to marshal its resources to defend those who have been attacked for merely wishing to serve the City’s greater good.”

The DCAC thinks Mayor Mulder doesn’t get it.

It bears repeating that late in the evening of Feb. 16, Mayor Mulder, along with Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo and Commissioners Paul Treusch and Janet Deyette, voted to commit property owner’s hard-spent taxes to sue individuals who make “slanderous or libelous comments… wherever the mayor feels is necessary.” Commissioners Zenaida Denizac, Herb Zischkau and Michele McFall-Conte, opposed the measure and opted out from its provisions.

It also bears recalling that Vice Mayor Carmolingo spoke up and made sure he was included so he could sue residents as well. The DCAC is alarmed Vice Mayor Carmolingo also places himself before public duty.

In his Feb. 25 press release, Mayor Mulder declares “I made a rookie mistake.” Astonishingly, this “rookie mistake” was not for placing his personal interests before the community, but for not reaching “outside of the community for opinions.”

But just two days before, in another press release created using taxpayer’s funds, Mayor Mulder sought to “clarify the use of public money only where appropriate.” Mayor Mulder still wanted to sue citizens for their opposition of city officials and employees.

Mayor Mulder doesn’t get it. The Mayor, along with the six other City Commissioners, has responsibility for a $66.5 million city budget in a year that is perhaps one of the worst since the Great Depression. And we have an admitted “rookie” in control.

This is not a time to create the image of Deltona as one of turmoil, controversy and disdain for its citizens. This is the time, perhaps more than any other time in its history, to develop the atmosphere that Deltona is a great place to live and create jobs. By placing self-interest before the public's, Mayor Mulder has failed to do so.

Mayor Mulder’s apologies are not good enough. The DCAC accepts Mayor Mulder’s pledge to resign tonight and looks to help building a better future for Deltona, its economic development and its citizens.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

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Reprinted with Permission: From The West Volusia Beacon

Mayor Mulder asks Deltona City Commission to reverse citizen-lawsuit vote

Issues statement calling for March 2 action

By Al Everson and Barb Shepherd
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 25, 2009 - 7:12:09pm

BEACON PHOTO/AL EVERSON
In the hot seat — In the wake of controversy over the Deltona City Commission's Feb. 16 decision to consider suing people who defame or harrass city officials, Mayor Dennis Mulder tells a group of citizens he didn't intend to use tax dollars to protect his personal reputation or that of his businesses. The following day, today, Mulder issued a statement calling for his colleagues on the City Commission to overturn the Feb. 16 vote. The matter will be considered at the commission's meeting Monday, March 2.

COURTESY WWW.DELTONABONAFIDE.COM
Free speech — This is one of many editorial cartoons critical of Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder that were created by Jeff Ensminger and published on his Web site www.deltonabonafide.com. Ensminger said he hired an attorney to be ready in case the City of Deltona targeted him for one of the lawsuits against critics approved Feb. 16.

After consulting with a First Amendment attorney he paid for himself, Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder is asking his colleagues on the City Commission to reverse their vote to sue citizens who criticize Deltona government.

In a two-page letter sent to the news media by City Hall this evening, Feb. 25, Mulder apologized for what he called a “rookie mistake” in urging the City Commission to vote to approve the lawsuits.

“After reading the reactions by the media and by my fellow citizens, I determined that perhaps I had not considered the constitutional implications of such an action,” Mulder wrote.

After discussing the constraints of the First Amendment and the pains of harsh criticism he and his family have endured, the mayor’s letter continues, “... we must all begin on common ground, and that common ground is respect for the Constitution of the United States.”

He concluded the statement by suggesting someone make a motion at the Monday, March 2, City Commission meeting to repeal the action taken Feb. 16 to authorize lawsuits.

The 30-year-old has been at the helm of the largest city in Volusia County for more than three years. His term in office has been dotted by lively controversy, from the elimination of prayer at City Commission meetings, to a brouhaha over artwork with religious themes hung at City Hall, to the challenged annexation of a huge chunk of rural land where urban-level development was proposed.

“I am a political novice,” Mulder wrote. “I was not inherently prepared for the caustic and petty partisan attacks that often come along with positions of political leadership.”

Read Mulder's full statement here.

Mulder has been at the center of a storm since the City Commission approved his suggestion about taking the city’s critics to court.

In a 4-3 vote, Mulder and three other commissioners approved using city resources to take legal action against people the mayor claims unfairly or wrongly denounce city policies and leaders.

Mulder discussed the controversy at his Feb. 24 Mayor’s Table, but stopped short of repudiating the vote. He told those attending the informal meeting the city had no firm plans to sue anyone.

Mulder had told fellow commissioners his enemies are spreading malicious and false allegations about him. He said the false statements hurt his businesses and his family, and he described anonymous letters, telephone threats, vandalism and even break-ins at his home.

Reaction to the vote came swiftly.

One of Mulder’s harshest critics filed a complaint against him with the Florida Ethics Commission, charging Mulder with improper use of taxpayers’ dollars.

Jeff Ensminger operates two anti-Mulder Web sites. After the Feb. 16 City Commission decision, he hired an attorney to be ready to defend himself against any legal action by the city.

The fate of Ensminger’s complaint, in light of Mulder’s action Feb. 25, is unknown.

“The issue, as I see it, is the mayor using public resources for his own personal gain,” Ensminger said. “He wants to use public resources for his own purpose.”

Ensminger, who runs a home-based computer business, set up his first Web site, www.deltonabonafide.com/, in 2006, the year after Mulder became mayor.

Monitoring the City Commission’s actions and blogging about them takes up a great deal of his time, Ensminger said.

“It feels like a full-time job, but it does not pay,” he said.

He wants a recall of Mulder. A recall is a citizens’ petition drive for a special election to determine whether a person should remain in office. Florida law allows recall proceedings under special circumstances in cities and charter counties.

Recalls are rare, and successes — in which officials are actually forced out — are even rarer.

Ensminger launched the Web site www.recallmulder.com/ to promote the idea of a recall.

“It’s my effort, strictly,” Ensminger said. “Preparations are under way. Make no mistake about that.”

Deltona’s next regular municipal election will be in 2010. Ensminger said he will not run for mayor.

Mulder speaks

Mulder made an impassioned speech, complete with a slide show, to sway the City Commission to vote his way on legal action against critics.

When the backlash hit, including charges the mayor wanted to use public money to defend himself and his private businesses, first Mulder tried to clarify his intent.

“I want you all to be aware I plan on spending private money to defend myself, family and businesses, not public money,” read an earlier statement by Mulder that was published on city stationery and distributed by City Hall Feb. 23.

“Public money would be used only to defend the city itself from damages current and future,” the statement continues. “The many personal references made in my presentation were made to illustrate the damage and danger of a select few. Assaulting, slandering etc. our staff members would be a different story of course, as would damages the city itself has suffered.”

Two days later, however, Mulder’s latest statement revealed he had been advised by a First Amendment attorney that the Feb. 16 action was ill-advised.

SLAPP suits

Civil suits by government officials against private citizens are known as SLAPP suits. SLAPP is an acronym for strategic lawsuit against public participation.

Government-initiated suits against citizens are fraught with constitutional problems, noted Stetson University political-science professor T. Wayne Bailey, especially when trying to silence opponents.

“Public officials are not immune to criticism,” Bailey said. “There is a host of Supreme Court decisions that leave almost no protection for public officials.”

For decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has held public figures must meet higher standards in proving malice and defamation than private individuals, corporations or other entities.

DCAC stand

Nancy Schleicher, who chairs the Deltona Citizens Action Committee (DCAC), had earlier asked the City Commission to reconsider its vote on suing citizens.

“Right now, the strongest thing we can do is condemn the action,” she said before Mulder’s latest letter was made public. She had urged commissioners: “Do the right thing and rescind the vote.”

Still learning

Bailey described Mulder, 30, as a politician who is still learning.

“I think it’s good to have Mayor Mulder on the scene, but he does need to keep an open mind,” Bailey said. “I think his motives and his spirit are good ones.”

— al@beacononlinenews.com

Reprinted with Permission: From The West Volusia Beacon

OrlandoSentinel.com

EDITORIAL

We think: Democracy took a bullet when Deltona opened the door to suing critics

We think: Democracy took a bullet when Deltona opened the door to suing critics

February 20, 2009

Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel

Reprinted with Permission: From the orlandosentinel.com, February 20, 2009.

DCAC Condemns City Decision to Sue Dissidents, Urges Reconsideration

February 17, 2009

Deltona, FL – The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee Board of Directors voted unanimously today to condemn the decision by the City of Deltona to sue its own citizens over remarks deemed offensive to the mayor.

DCAC Chairman Nancy Schleicher read the following statement Tuesday: 

The DCAC urges Deltona city commissioners to reconsider their vote and pledge to work with the DCAC in promoting a positive community, not one further torn asunder with acrimonious lawsuits and threats of lawsuits.

 

The DCAC strongly condemns any personal attacks against any person, including our elected officials.  If anyone feels criminal acts or personal harm have occurred, the DCAC encourages them to pursue all available remedies. But those remedies are not the realm of the taxpayers to fund. It is the responsibility of the individual who feels offended.

Monday night, Mayor Mulder, along with Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo and Commissioners Paul Treusch and Janet Deyette voted to commit property owner’s taxes to sue individuals who make “slanderous or libelous comments… wherever the mayor feels is necessary.” Commissioners Zenaida Denizac, Herb Zischkau and Michele McFall-Conte, opposed the measure and declared they will opt out from its provisions.

Following a presentation, complete with slides, of what he described were attacks against himself, his family and his business, Mayor Mulder asked for the following vote:

“I move for the city to provide reimbursement and expenditures of legal fees to protect both proactively and reactively the city as a government including its employees and its mayor from material damages, slanderous or libelous comments or claims and unsubstantiated allegations past, present and future where the mayor feels is necessary and that a report of fees expended be made available to the public.”

After Commissioners Carmolingo and Deyette called for a vote, the commission approved the measure 4-3.

The DCAC states the wording of the motion raises several concerns:

1.       “provide reimbursement and expenditures of legal fees” – This means public funds will be spent to reimburse any of the city’s elected officials or employees for their personal losses.  This provision may not even be permitted under state law. This also represents an added taxpayer expense in these very uncertain, even frightening, economic times. The DCAC seeks to reduce city spending wherever possible, not create new ways to spend our evaporating dollars. 

 

2.       “proactively and reactively” – This may signal taxpayer-funded “SLAPP” harassment lawsuits to curtail dissent, also likely to be adjudicated unconstitutional. 

 

3.       “allegations, past, present or future” – This is alarming. Here, in a clear proclamation to suppress dissent, the city intends to pay for any litigation against residents before those residents actually make any public statements. The DCAC believes this does not represent the principles of a democratic, free America. 

 

4.       “where the mayor feels is necessary” – This grants the mayor full control to decide who to attack and how much to spend, all without commission approval. 

 

5.       “a report of fees expended be made available to the public for their review” – This could become what Mayor Mulder himself complained about, publicizing residents’ names to promote public ridicule.

 “Our Country was formed with the freedom of speech for all,” said Nancy Schleicher, DCAC chairman, “not the freedom of speech for only those who agree with us.”

 It was that atmosphere of dirty politics that encouraged a group of progressive Deltona citizens to form the DCAC last year. The DCAC seeks to provide information to all residents about important city issues, without insult or attack. Unfortunately, dirty politics are often a part of the “game,” says Schleicher, once married to a two-time Volusia County Councilman. “Any person seeking public office should know that going in and not be alarmed if their actions attract unpleasant opponents.”

 “I realize the concern is due to the bashing of politicians and indeed at sometimes gets carried away,” Schleicher said. “Unfortunately, this is part of politics! It is unfortunately the ugly side of politics but it is politics none the less. I had to learn to have very thick skin, ignore threats and actions against myself or my former husband.”

The DCAC applauds Commissioners Denizac, Zischkau and McFall-Conte, in their opposition to this embarrassing moment in Deltona’s nearly 14-year existence. These commissioners represented the citizens of Deltona as they were elected to do, not themselves.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

Be wary of City’s Fire SAD Proposal

Deltona, FL – Despite reassurances by Deltona Commissioner Janet Deyette in today’s News-Journal, the Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee urges city taxpayer’s to be wary of the proposal to create a new special taxing district. City commissioners will consider creating the new taxing district tonight. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.

Today, News-Journal reporter Nicole Service quoted Deyette as saying “ ‘It's not a final decision on it. It is to give staff the go ahead to look into it. We are just looking into at this point.’ "

However, the city’s proposed Resolution No. 2009-03 states the following, “WHEREAS, the City intends to use the uniform method for collecting non-ad valorem special assessments for the cost of providing fire protection services to property within the incorporated area of the City…” The draft resolution further states “The City hereby determines that the levy of the assessments is needed to fund the cost of fire protection services within the incorporated area of the City.”

“Intends to use” suggests greater purpose than “not a final decision,” as Commissioner Deyette would have us believe.

Using the fee, the city could carve much of the $8.7 million Fire Fund spending from property taxes and then use those ad valorem “savings” to actually finance other spending. It becomes another way to increase taxes on residents using a “shell game,” a confidence trick.

“It’s like putting a horse in a starting box for a race that hasn't even been scheduled,” commented Nancy Schleicher, DCAC Chairman, “unless of course it plans on running anyway.”

City commissioners granted themselves the authority to create Special Assessment Districts in a late night vote last year. That action was required by the state before they could impose the special district fees. The state allows local governments to create the districts and impose fees without prior voter approval under Chapter 197.

Under the state provisions, the assessments are separate to city taxes and other fees and aren’t restricted by the 1995 Save Our Homes limit on property value increases or last year’s Amendment 1. The assessments are often applied at the same level for all homes, regardless of assessed value. Homeowners facing devalued homes will likely pay the same rate as new home owners.

Rather than finding ways to save property owners money, the city continues to create new burdens on taxpayers. Last year, while city officials said they made some cuts in spending, they raised property taxes a staggering 27 percent and water fees 17 percent, the first rate hike in 13 years. According to city figures, more than 10 percent of all Deltona homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure or are about to face that tragedy.

The article can be found by clicking here.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

DCAC Urges Residents To

Monitor City’s Proposed  Fire SAD

Deltona, FL – Deltona officials propose to add another fee to the already burdened Deltona property owner. Next month, city commissioners will consider creating a new fire fee to pay for services. Few details have been made public, but Deltona City Manager Faith Miller wrote DCAC Vice Chairman Rich Hylton the fee could be used to pay for “new fire stations and/or fire vehicles, and operational costs of fire services. Such assessments cannot be used to cover emergency medical services provided by the Fire Department, but they can be used to cover annual operating expenses for fire protection services.”

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee encourages all residents watch fire fee developments closely and keep close contact with their commissioners to let them know their thoughts. City Commissioners are slated to consider the proposal at their February 2 meeting.

“Call it whatever you wish,” said DCAC Chairman Nancy Schleicher, “if it is on my tax bill it is a tax!”

Shortly before midnight on July 7 last year, the City Commission gave themselves the authority to create Special Assessment Districts in a 5-2 vote. That action was required by the state before they could impose the special district fees. The state allows local governments to create the districts and impose fees without prior voter approval under Chapter 197. Under the state provisions, the assessments can be made separate to city taxes and other fees. Commissioners are not restricted by the 1995 Save Our Homes limit on property value increases or last year’s Amendment 1 which increases the Homestead Exemption. The assessments are often applied at the same level for all homes, regardless of assessed value. Homeowners facing devalued homes will likely pay the same rate as new home owners.

“My concern about imposing any assessment is that under the law an assessment does not have a cap on its increase and it can be imposed without voter approval,” Schleicher said. “This is clearly a slap in the face of those who worked hard to get the Save Our Homes restriction on tax increases.’

Rather than finding ways to save property owners money, the city continues to create new fees. Last year, although the city said it made some cuts in spending, they raised property taxes a staggering 27 percent and water fees 17 percent, the first hike in 13 years. According to city figures, more than 10 percent of all Deltona homes are either foreclosed and about to become so.

Schleicher said the city is not in touch with the residents. “At this time all government officials should be looking into how to improve the system within current budgetary boundaries and not add additional assessments or taxes at a time when people are struggling to afford those currently imposed,” she said.

The DCAC will provide updates on their website, www.deltonacac.org, as soon as they are available.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at www.deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

DCAC Urges Rejection of $69 Million City Expansion

Deltona, FL – The Deltona Citizens Action Committee urges all Deltona residents to oppose the city’s $69 million proposal to go deeply into debt to pay for an expansion of city construction and facilities.  The plan calls for:

·   $25 million for the Public Safety Complex, including a new Fire Station

·   $22 million for a new wastewater treatment plant

·   $15 million to purchase the county's Deltona North Water and Wastewater System

·   $7.5 million for drainage projects

The plan will tie up city revenues for years to come, at a time when the economy has reached its lowest since the Great Depression. Many Deltona homeowners are at risk of losing their homes because of rising costs and declining incomes. The city has already increased property taxes 27 percent and utility rates 17 percent while cutting crime protection and other city services just this year.

"While the city certainly has many critical needs that should be funded, fire protection and flood prevention chief among them, it is not the time to indebt the city with unneeded construction and utility expansion at a time when taxpayers and businesses are least capable of affording them," said Nancy Schleicher, DCAC chairman.

"Should city revenues continue to drop, commissioners will likely need to continue to increase property taxes and other fees to pay for the debt, placing other city operations at risk," Schleicher said.

The city’s Debt Policy states the following: “The decision to issue debt has far-reaching consequences by committing the city's revenues for future periods, and hence, limiting the city's flexibility in responding to changing service priorities, revenue inflows, or cost structures.”

Deltona Commissioners should heed their own policy and not approve this plan. They will take the first steps of approval this Monday, December 15 at City Hall. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

WISE SPENDING

The goals of Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. are to educate, inform and encourage all Deltona residents to become more active in our City and let their voice be known about the actions of its City Commission.  We believe it’s not enough for us to point out spending we may oppose but to also encourage each of you to let your commission know about the use of your tax dollars you find wasteful or unnecessary. 

When it comes to government spending, the first question we should always ask is: “Is this a Need or Want?”  Many times government gets these confused. 

During these tough financial times, Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. believes Deltona needs to concentrate solely on the city’s real Needs instead of the Wants many of us may desire.  When we spend tax payers dollars on unnecessary “feel-good” projects or anything that can truly be put off until a later time, we are justifying Wants and not Needs.

When you hear about an action of the commission you feel falls into the Want column, let them know it’s the Needs of our community you want addressed first.  Don’t expect others to monitor their actions. 

Let each commissioner know your feelings by clicking here.

TERM EXTENSIONS

The Deltona City Commission voted recently to extend their terms in office by one year. This was done without voter approval. The commissioners said they did this at the request of Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall so all Volusia County’s elections would fall on even numbered years starting in 2010. Mrs. McFall said this will help reduce the cost of elections.

Many Deltona residents feel their voice was not heard when commissioners gave themselves an extra year in office. The residents believe they have the right to decide who stays in office or who leaves, not the elected officials.

The Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. agrees. We support reducing city spending wherever possible, but not at the expense of voter rights. The City Commission wants to make several changes to Deltona’s City Charter which will require voter approval this November. The Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. believes this election issue should have been included with them and not remain a City Commission vote. The voters should decide.

Here is how other cities have handled this issue:

Neighboring Cities and their Decisions

DeBary – voters to decide Nov. 4th

Orange City – no change to terms

Lake Helen – no change to terms

DeLand – voters to decide Nov 4th

Pierson – voters to decide Nov 4th

Deltona – Commissioners extended their terms by Ordinance

Sanford – residents took the issue to court. Court ruled it was too late to remove from the ballot. Voters to Decide Nov. 4th

Deltona changes elections; DeLand to let residents vote

Deltona's City Commission voted July 7 to change the city's elections and extend commissioners terms, while DeLand has chosen to let the voters decide.

With the vote at Monday's meeting, Deltona's six city commissioners and its mayor are now serving five-year terms, rather than the four years they were elected to.

By adopting an ordinance scheduling Deltona's municipal elections in conjunction with presidential and gubernatorial elections held in even-numbered years, starting in 2010, the city is extending, by one year, the terms of each member of the City Commission.

Commissioners' terms were set to expire in 2009 and 2011; now, Deltona's next elections will be in 2010 and 2012.

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Challenge fails to block vote on commission terms

SANFORD – Two charter-review questions – including one that would extend terms for current city commissioners by 18 months – will remain on an Aug. 26 ballot despite a challenge from a political-action committee, a circuit judge ruled this week...

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Don’t delay! Please take the time to form your own conclusion on this important voter rights subject, and then encourage your friends and neighbors to get involved by letting the City Commission know how you feel.

Let each commissioner know your feelings by clicking here.