DeBary council approves first reading of proposed land bank, narrows bonding and redevelopment language

The City of DeBary City Council voted unanimously to approve on first reading Ordinance 02‑2026, a proposal to place a DeBary Land Bank program on the Nov. 3, 2026 referendum ballot, after amending the draft to remove a bonding authority and to narrow the law’s redevelopment language to non‑residential properties.

Growth Management Director Steven Bap told the council the program would allow the city to acquire, preserve, manage and—when locally appropriate—redevelop vacant, blighted or underdeveloped parcels. "The funding for the land bank program shall be provided by an ad valorem property tax of 0.20 to 0.50 mills," he said, and staff presented estimates showing that range would translate to about $40 to $100 per year for a household with a $200,000 taxable value depending on the final millage chosen.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the measure as a tool to protect environmentally sensitive lands, deter unwanted high‑density development on small in‑fill parcels, and to provide a mechanism—largely conservation‑focused—for dealing with long‑vacant and dilapidated properties. The council ultimately removed the ordinance text that authorized the land bank to issue general‑obligation bonds secured by future land bank millage and clarified the redevelopment authority to focus on non‑residential properties, changes councilors said were intended to increase voter support.

Details and timeline
Growth Management staff described three core elements in the draft ordinance: authority to acquire and hold conservation and non‑conforming properties, an option to sell or repurpose some properties for redevelopment after council review, and a financing mechanism through a dedicated ad valorem levy of 0.20–0.50 mills. The ordinance includes an automatic sunset date of Sept. 30, 2039 unless extended by referendum, and a requirement for council review beginning Sept. 30, 2031 and every four years thereafter.

The referendum question that staff proposed (English and Spanish versions) would ask voters to authorize the land bank and the levy for the period not beyond Sept. 30, 2039; if approved, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 1 following validation, and the first revenues would appear on tax rolls in November 2027 under staff’s schedule. Council signaled the second reading is set for the April 15 meeting; staff also said the city will submit the final referendum language to the Valuchia County Supervisor of Elections no later than May 1.

Council debate and amendments
Council members spent considerable time debating two politically sensitive elements: the explicit authority in the draft allowing the city to issue bonds secured by future land‑bank millage, and the ordinance’s reference to "redevelopment". Several councilors said voters were uneasy about broad redevelopment powers and bonding language; others argued limited redevelopment authority is necessary to repurpose commercial or other non‑residential dilapidated properties (for example, the Bank of America and other commercial parcels cited in staff examples).

After extended discussion, the council voted to:
- Strike the ordinance text authorizing the land bank to issue bonds secured by future land‑bank millage (bonding language removed).
- Revise "redevelopment" language so the land bank’s redevelopment authority is focused on non‑residential properties and on limited redevelopment of already‑improved sites rather than sweeping residential development on raw land.

Council member Cell urged putting the decision to voters: "This is your opportunity as a whole community to invest a few dollars a month to allow us to stop development when we can," she said.

Next steps
The council approved the amended ordinance on first reading by unanimous roll‑call vote. Staff will return the ordinance for second reading on April 15; if the council approves it again, the city will submit the final referendum language to the county for inclusion on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. If the measure passes in November, the Council would implement the program per the ordinance and the funding assumptions adopted at that time.

What remains unresolved: the ordinance, as amended, still leaves choices (exact millage within the 0.20–0.50 range, and whether to pursue individual acquisitions) to future council action and to voter approval. Staff emphasized acquisitions would be voluntary, not by eminent domain, and that council approval would be required for significant purchases.