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Volusia County Charter Review Commission seeks public input

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, September 7th 2025 at 6:02 GMT by The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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Volusia County Launches Public Review of County Charter, Asks Residents for Input

Volusia County officials have opened a new chapter in local governance by announcing that the County Charter Review Commission will now be seeking public feedback on a draft of proposed charter changes. The commission, a bipartisan group of five members appointed by the county’s five commissioners, is charged with modernizing the county’s foundational governing document to better reflect contemporary needs and future growth.

Why a Charter Review?

County charter documents are essentially the “constitution” of a county, outlining the powers of the board, the structure of local government, and the responsibilities of elected officials. Since Volusia County’s original charter was adopted in 1950, the region has grown from a modest 120,000 residents to over 500,000, with the tourism boom and expanding residential development putting new demands on the local government. “The charter has served us well for decades,” said County Commission Chair Dr. Thomas R. Kohn. “But it’s time to reassess whether the current structure supports our community’s goals, especially with regard to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and civic engagement.”

The review process is guided by the Florida Constitution, which allows counties to revise their charters either through a vote at the next election or by a public referendum if the county board submits it to voters. The commission’s task is to propose a new charter that addresses issues such as:

• Board Composition and Terms – Whether to maintain the current five-member, single-member district system, or explore alternatives like at-large representation or mixed structures.
• Fiscal Policies – Clarifying county borrowing authority, bond issuance, and revenue allocation to ensure fiscal health amid rising service demands.
• Administrative Restructuring – Proposals for streamlining departments, creating a county manager role, or consolidating agencies to cut costs.
• Citizen Participation – Enhancing mechanisms for citizen input, such as advisory councils, open data portals, and public comment periods.

How Residents Can Get Involved

The commission has made a clear, structured process for public participation, including:

1. Public Hearings – The commission will hold three public hearings over the next three months. The first hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m. in the Volusia County Courthouse, Room 402. Additional sessions will be held at the Port Orange Community Center and in Deltona’s Town Hall. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes and will be recorded and posted on the commission’s website for later viewing.

2. Written Comments – Residents may submit written comments electronically through the county’s official charter review portal at https://www.volusia.org/charterreview. The portal accepts PDF, Word, and text files up to 5 MB. Submissions must be received by October 12 to be considered in the commission’s final report.

3. Online Public Forum – A live chat window will be available on the portal from September 15 to October 10. Moderators will be present to answer questions and gather informal feedback.

4. Mail and In-Person Drop‑Off – For those without internet access, written comments may be mailed to the Volusia County Commission Office (1701 A Street, Deltona, FL 32707) or dropped off at any of the county’s public libraries. These must also be received by October 12.

5. Public Comment Sheet – During the public hearings, a comment sheet will be available for participants to submit remarks. The sheets will be scanned and added to the digital repository.

The commission’s chair emphasized the importance of “diverse voices” in the process. “We want people from all sectors of our county—business leaders, educators, parents, retirees—to have a seat at the table,” Kohn said. “This charter is for everyone.”

What Happens Next?

After the public comment period ends, the commission will review all feedback and prepare a final draft of the charter. The commission’s report will be presented to the full board of commissioners at the September 30 board meeting. From there, the board will decide whether to submit the charter to a public vote or keep it on the ballot for the next general election.

According to county law, the charter revision process must conclude by January 1, 2026, giving the commission sufficient time to analyze feedback, draft revisions, and convene a final public session to discuss the proposed charter before it reaches the voters.

Additional Resources

The commission’s official website provides access to the draft charter document, a PDF of the charter’s current text, and a FAQ section. The page also hosts a live stream of the public hearings and downloadable materials for local journalists and researchers. The Florida Secretary of State’s website hosts a database of county charter amendments, which can be searched by county for comparative purposes.

For more detailed guidance, the commission has published a step‑by‑step instructions PDF that walks residents through how to format their written comments, what kinds of feedback are most helpful, and how to cite relevant statutory language. The instructions are available at https://www.volusia.org/charterreview/resources/step-by-step.pdf.

In Closing

Volusia County’s charter review is a rare opportunity for residents to influence the foundational legal framework that governs their community. With a timeline that balances thorough public engagement and timely decision‑making, the commission’s initiative promises to keep the county’s governance structure responsive to its rapidly evolving demographic, economic, and social landscape. Residents who wish to shape the future of Volusia County are encouraged to attend the public hearings, submit comments by the October 12 deadline, and stay engaged through the commission’s online portal.