110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
By Al Everson
posted Dec 17, 2008 - 2:45:31pm
'Twas the week before Christmas ... .
Despite concerns about additional debt in a depressed economy, the Deltona City Commission moved tentatively to OK about $70 million in new capital projects.
Not everyone was in favor of the expenditures.
"Although there are many things we would like to have, those are the wants," said Nancy Schleicher, chairwoman of the Deltona Citizens Action Committee and a former City Commission candidate. "People's finances are troubled. ... Are they all necessary, or could some of them wait for a different time?"
City leaders are considering the purchase of a county-owned utility, the development of a public-safety complex coupled with a fire station, a wastewater-treatment plant, and new stormwater-control facilities.
On Dec. 15, commissioners voted to reimburse the city's general fund for any expenses Deltona may incur in arranging financing for the capital items.
"We are not authorizing debt," said Jeff Larson, the city's finance adviser and investment banker.
Larson said no decision has been made about whether to finance the projects with 30-year bonds or 20-year bank loans, and no decision is likely to come before the U.S. financial markets regain more stability.
In any event, Commissioner Herb Zischkau urged caution.
"We can't afford any new debt," he said. "We're going to be whipsawed if we borrow for these four items. ... I don't think we would even be able to borrow the money."
Deltona wants to build a new public-safety center and fire station on land near the intersection of Howland and Catalina boulevards; a sewage facility capable of treating up to 3 million gallons of wastewater per day on the eastern side of the city; and adding retention ponds and pumping stations to its stormwater utility. The estimated prices of the items are $25 million, $22 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
In August, the City Commission narrowly approved the $7.6 million purchase of 19 acres for the public-safety complex and Fire Station 65.
Although he said the documents submitted to the commission do not call for borrowing money now, Larson noted there some pre-construction work is ongoing on the 52,000-square-foot public-safety center.
"We are in the middle of working on the proposed plans for that project," said Larson.
The city also proposes to buy the Deltona North utility, a water and sewer system owned by Volusia County. The utility serves the northern portion of Deltona — including the City Hall — as well as Cassadaga, Enterprise and Stone Island. City officials estimate the system will cost $15 million.
The County Council has not approved any offer to sell Deltona North. Council Member Pat Northey, whose district includes Deltona, even sent a letter to city leaders telling of her reluctance "to shed any capital resources of the county."
As they fielded questions and criticism regarding the resolutions to provide front-end money for the capital deals, city Finance Director Bob Clinger also tried to allay misgivings.
"The whole purpose of this exercise is to protect the general fund," Clinger said. "We're not asking anybody to spend anything tonight."
Mayor Dennis Mulder said the actual spending decisions would come later.
"We're going to be considering each of these projects in public hearings," Mulder said.
The resolutions on reimbursing the city's general fund for the expenses related to the capital projects are required by federal law, according to Larson.
A majority of the City Commission voted in favor of each of the resolutions, but Commissioners Zenaida Denizac and Herb Zischkau voted against each one. Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte also opposed the measure pertaining to the Deltona North utility.
Reader Comments
The comments posted below are posted by readers, not by The Beacon staff. These comments express the views and opinions of the authors, and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster. The comments forum is governed by these rules. Please use the report abuse link if you find offensive comments.
After Fay, it has become evident that our citizens are not the top priority. His blatent disreguard of the families who lost their homes proves this to be accurate.
At every meeting citizens bring this back to the forum but it falls on deaf ears.
His total disrespect for anyone who does not go along with his every whim is clear.
"We're not asking anybody to spend anything tonight." Well big deal! You wouldn't be doing this if you weren't planning on asking sometime soon!
Comment on this article
Commenting is closed for this article.
If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.
Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The DeLand-Deltona Beacon to read more stories by Al Everson, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!
Photos - Real Estate - Newcomer's Guide - Beacon Magazines - Advertise - Local Web Sites - About Us - Beacon Archives