VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County officials say the clock is ticking on funding for stormwater improvements, with current projections showing the county could run short of money for those projects by 2030.
County staff raised the concern this week, warning that revenue from stormwater utility fees is not expected to keep pace with the cost of planned drainage and flood-control work. Officials also said the gap could eventually affect routine maintenance, adding urgency to the discussion as the county looks for solutions before the situation worsens.
The financial strain comes as several major, long-term projects move out of the planning stage and into construction. That shift will require dependable funding for years to come, even as future storms could create new drainage problems and add to the county’s costs.
Among the options being considered is an increase in stormwater impact fees. But the prospect of higher fees is likely to be met with frustration from some residents who say flooding has already been getting worse for years.
One of them is JC Figueredo, who lives near DeLand and says his property has flooded multiple times, even during storms that are not considered major.
“It’s really frustrating. You’ve seen the writing on the wall with this for ten years. Once all this development started we just saw a major increase in flooding,” Figueredo said.
“It’s horrible. I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel for any of our flooding problems,” said Figueredo.
Figueredo says he’s been hoping the county would launch a project to bring relief to his area. News of the budget shortfall only added to his frustration.
“That’s pretty insane considering all the money that’s been given to them by the state to handle projects like this,” said Figueredo.
County Councilman David Santiago acknowledged the gap between what’s available and what’s needed — particularly with multiple studies currently underway to identify additional projects.
“Right now we have $150 million set aside and it may cost more, we’ll know as the projects come along and then we’ll have to find out how to fund those projects,” said Santiago.
The county raised stormwater impact fees by $1.50 two years ago. Another increase may be coming.
“It would possibly be that we have to transfer funds that we can utilize for stormwater projects and cutting in other areas or it could be are the fees that we’re charging for stormwater, are they reasonable?,” said Santiago.
No official date has been set for a final decision on how to address the shortfall. However, the issue is expected to come up again at an upcoming Volusia County Council meeting.
