On October 15^th the Chamber hosted its 24^th annual luncheon with the Volusia County Council to  update  them  on  Chamber  activities  &  exchange  information  on  business  related  issues. Council members Joie Alexander, Jack Hayman, Andy Kelly, Pat Northey, Carl Persis, Josh Wagner, County Chairman Frank Bruno, County Manager Jim Dinneen and several department heads were in attendance. 

At  this  meeting, Business  Development  Partnership  Co-Chairman  Bob Williams,  reported  on  business  recruiting  efforts,  and most importantly, the plan moving forward to merge government and private-sector money and efforts to help existing businesses develop and look for new opportunities. This plan would also involve local CEOs assisting in the recruitment of companies to relocate or expand to Volusia County.  Williams said the new plan includes private leadership, but provides government "a strong seat at the table."

Local Government Committee Vice Chairman Andrew Young presented a progress report of the Chamber’s recommendations for 2009. He commended the County Council on approving a $614.6 million budget with a general fund tax rate of 5.36 mills (a $20.5 million reduction from the current $634.7 million budget); a first-class Ocean Center that works well with the surrounding neighborhoods; a "balanced" land use plan; support for commuter rail.

Young also spoke of the partnership involving the County, the City of Daytona Beach and a private developer that lead to the construction of the Dunn Avenue extension. For more information, please visit the Chamber's Government Relations page.

Young applauded the County’s efforts to set a "target budget amount" (the General Fund of $132 million would serve as a goal) for FY 2010-11. He also thanked the Council for supporting the Manager's recommendations regarding the contract impasse with the Firefighters Union. 

In response, Council Chairman Frank Bruno commented that the County is continuing its efforts to provide commuter rail transportation into Volusia County. He also expressed the county’s support for a united public-private economic development approach.