Heated public hearing on charter changes as residents demand stronger voter protections for conservation lands

A packed Volusia County Council chamber heard more than an hour of public testimony on June 2 as residents pressed the council to strengthen voter protections on county conservation lands purchased with the Valuchia Forever program.

At a second public hearing on proposed Charter Review Commission (CRC) amendments, conservation advocates urged an "Elachua-style" lockbox that would require voter approval before any sale, lease or conversion of land bought with Forever funds. Speakers from Dream Green Volusia, the Enterprise Preservation Society and other groups argued the CRC's version left a loophole that would allow future councils to repurpose protected parcels for a "public purpose" without a countywide referendum.

"If taxpayer funds are used to buy conservation land, only a countywide vote of the people should ever be allowed to sell, lease, or repurpose that land," said Katherine Pante, a conservation advocate, during public comment.

CRC Chair Mark Watts and county attorneys repeatedly told the council and audience they had weighed several models, including a unanimous-vote requirement and the Elachua County charter model, but concluded that Florida statutory constraints (notably chapter 125) limit how far a county can legally bind future commissions. Watts said the commission's proposed measures—supermajority thresholds, creation of a public registry of protected parcels and explicit notice and findings requirements—were drafted to strengthen protections while remaining defensible under state law.

"We fully support the programs. We fully support that the property should be owned in perpetuity," Watts said, adding the CRC relied on counsel when shaping the amendments. "The issue is whether we can adopt something we felt was not permissible by law."

The exchange grew tense at times. Several speakers said they felt council members were undermining the public's vote when the Forever program was reauthorized; others said the county should not try to enshrine an absolute, unchangeable prohibition into the charter, which could create legal exposure. Council members said they expected another CRC/public hearing at the June 16 meeting and that language could be revised.

What happens next: County staff and the CRC will return for the third and final public hearing on the proposed charter amendments on June 16 (evening meeting). Council members asked staff to identify any legally permissible language that would allow a voter referendum or other stronger procedural safeguard while respecting chapter 125.

Speakers: Mark Watts (CRC chair), Russ Brown (deputy county attorney), multiple residents and nonprofit representatives including Katherine Pante, Shannon Gis and Suzanne Shyber.

Ending: Council scheduled a final CRC public hearing for June 16 and asked staff to prepare any additional legally viable options for stronger voter protections for conservation land.