Resident urges vigilance as county moves on arts funding and warns of affordable housing concentration in Daytona Beach City

John Nicholson, a Daytona Beach resident, urged the Economic Development Advisory Board on March 18 to monitor Volusia County budget decisions after a recent county vote on an arts program and cautioned against overconcentrating HUD-subsidized affordable housing in Daytona Beach City.

"For every dollar that the county invests, we get $5 back," Nicholson said of cultural arts investments, arguing that cuts to arts funding would harm tourism and the city's economic engine. He said the county previously failed to pass an arts program when a key member was absent and that the current passage merits attention from city leaders.

Nicholson also raised affordable housing concerns, saying Daytona Beach City once accounted for about 85% of HUD housing in the city and that the share has declined to below 70 percent as the county builds additional units. He urged the board not to "end load" Daytona Beach City with HUD housing so that the city's economic mix remains balanced.

The board approved the previous meeting's minutes by voice vote earlier in the session; the motion passed after a second and an "all in favor" call, with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.

Additionally, Jeff Brown told the board he has accepted the city manager position in Auburndale and said this March meeting will be among his last with the advisory board; Brown noted an April 3 departure date from the board. The next advisory board meeting was announced for 8:30 a.m. on April 15 (tax day).