Agenda 1: Growth, Development & Infrastructure Resilience
Daytona Beach is growing rapidly, and residents already feel the strain: traffic congestion near schools, overcrowded classrooms, flooding after heavy rains, and utilities stretched thin. By 2028, Florida’s population will continue to rise, and coastal cities like ours will face even greater pressure.
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Smart Growth Ordinances: Development approvals will be tied directly to infrastructure readiness. Schools, roads, and utilities must be adequate before projects move forward. By 2028, this policy may expand to include climate resilience standards, ensuring new developments withstand stronger storms.
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Voluntary Conservation & Habitat Protection: Incentives for landowners who preserve wetlands and forests will protect our natural defenses. By 2028, conservation programs may evolve into regional partnerships with Volusia and Flagler counties, reflecting broader environmental challenges.
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Developer-Funded Impact Assessments: Developers will pay for independent studies on traffic, schools, utilities, and environment. By 2028, these assessments may include new categories such as climate impact or affordable housing contributions.
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Flooding & Infrastructure Repair: Emergency flood response teams, transparent infrastructure dashboards, and green solutions will tackle flooding head-on. By 2028, technology like smart sensors and predictive modeling may be added to strengthen resilience.
Vision for 2028: A city where growth is balanced, infrastructure is modern, flooding is controlled, and neighborhoods remain safe and sustainable — with policies that adapt as conditions change.
Agenda 2: Local Economy, Business Fairness & Housing Stability
Daytona Beach’s economy is built on small businesses, but too often they are left behind while corporate developers get fast-tracked. Residents see the imbalance: entrepreneurs face endless delays, while big projects sail through City Hall. By 2028, cities that prioritize local business and affordable housing will thrive.
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“Daytona First” Procurement Reform: Local vendors will be prioritized in city contracts. By 2028, this program may expand into a countywide “Volusia First” initiative, reflecting regional economic needs.
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Permits & Licensing Reform: Permitting will be digitized and streamlined, with a 30‑day maximum turnaround. Fees will be eliminated for small businesses, while corporate developers pay targeted impact fees. By 2028, this system may evolve into a fully online “one-stop shop” for entrepreneurs.
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Affordable Housing Incentives: Landlords will be incentivized with tax breaks, fee reductions, and grants to keep rents affordable. By 2028, housing programs may shift to address rising insurance costs and climate-driven migration.
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Protecting Volusia Mall: The mall will be defended against predatory redevelopment and revitalized as a cultural and economic anchor. By 2028, redevelopment strategies may include mixed-use spaces to adapt to changing retail trends.
Vision for 2028: A city where small businesses thrive, housing remains affordable, and economic policies evolve to meet new challenges.
Agenda 3: Community, Safety, Families & Education
Residents feel disconnected from City Hall. Decisions are made without community input, and neighborhoods are left voiceless. At the same time, public safety, homelessness, and education are pressing concerns. By 2028, civic engagement and accountability will be the measure of trust in government.
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Neighborhood Councils & Micro-Grants: Residents will have direct input into city planning. By 2028, councils may gain formal budget authority, reflecting deeper citizen involvement.
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Beautification Board: Civic pride will be restored through clean streets and cared-for public spaces. By 2028, the board may expand to oversee sustainability projects tied to climate resilience.
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Police Accountability & Excellence: Funding will increase for training and technology, while citizen review boards ensure accountability. By 2028, new technologies like body-camera AI review may be added to strengthen oversight.
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Homelessness Action Plan: Transitional housing, employment programs, and sanitation standards will reduce visible homelessness by 50% within two years. By 2028, policies may shift to address mental health and addiction crises more comprehensively.
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Youth & Families: Concussion awareness campaigns, affordable housing incentives, and family-friendly zoning will protect children and parents. By 2028, youth programs may expand to address digital safety and online learning.
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Education & Student Health: School tours, partnerships with the Volusia County School Board, and expanded after-school programs will strengthen education. By 2028, city-school partnerships may evolve to include workforce pipelines tied to Daytona State College.
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Daytona State College Partnership: Support students, faculty, and programs, connect graduates to local jobs, and expand aerospace, healthcare, business, and technology programs. By 2028, DSC may lead in preparing workers for emerging industries like renewable energy.
Vision for 2028: A city where residents shape decisions, neighborhoods thrive, police are accountable, homelessness is reduced, and education adapts to prepare the next generation.
Agenda 4: Transparency, Ethics, Fiscal Discipline & Citizen-First Governance
Trust in government is at an all-time low. Residents see favoritism, lobbyist-driven contracts, and hidden spending. By 2028, cities that fail to reform will lose credibility. Daytona must lead with transparency and ethics.
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Ethics, Transparency & Term Limits: Transparency ordinances will be implemented immediately. An independent ethics board will investigate misconduct. Term limits will be pursued through charter amendments and voter approval. By 2028, ethics policies may expand to include digital transparency standards.
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Citizen Contract Initiative: Every major policy will be presented as a plain-language contract, published openly for residents to review. Citizens will co-sign the rules that govern them. By 2028, this initiative may evolve into digital platforms where residents vote directly on contract terms.
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Fiscal Accountability: P-Card reforms will include public reporting, independent audits, dual approvals, and real-time alerts. By 2028, fiscal transparency may expand to blockchain-based systems for public spending.
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Cuts to Reckless Spending: Family favoritism, lobbyist-driven contracts, bloated programs, unnecessary hiring, developer giveaways, and hidden travel costs will end. By 2028, spending discipline may shift toward new priorities like climate resilience and digital security.
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Response to Tallahassee Overreach: SB 180 threatens home rule, but I will build coalitions with other cities to protect local accountability. By 2028, this fight may expand as state preemption laws evolve.
Vision for 2028: A city where government is transparent, accountable, and citizen-first — with policies that adapt to new realities.
Statement on First Step Shelter
As Mayor, I will use every tool within my legal authority to ensure that First Step Shelter is reformed and rebuilt into a system that truly serves our community. That means exercising the full scope of powers entrusted to the office — from budget oversight to executive directives, from appointments to public accountability.
Through budget oversight, I will demand a complete audit of how taxpayer dollars are spent, ensuring that every cent is directed toward programs that deliver measurable results. Waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency will be exposed and eliminated.
Through executive directives, I will set clear standards for transparency, reporting, and performance. Shelter operations will no longer be allowed to drift without accountability. Instead, they will follow strict guidelines that prioritize compassion, efficiency, and transformation.
Through appointments, I will ensure that leadership positions are filled with individuals who are committed to reform, not to maintaining the status quo. If current management cannot meet the standards of accountability and effectiveness, they will be replaced with leaders who can.
Through public accountability, I will require regular reporting of shelter outcomes — how many people are housed, how many find jobs, how many break free from cycles of poverty. These reports will be made public, because the people of this city deserve to know how their resources are being used.
Where state or federal law limits action, I will not stop at the boundaries of city authority. I will advocate for reform at every level of government, building partnerships with county agencies, state legislators, and federal programs to expand services and secure funding. Reform cannot happen in isolation, and I will ensure our city is a leader in collaboration.
This is not just about managing homelessness — it is about ending it through accountability, transparency, and compassion. As Mayor, I will dismantle systems that fail, rebuild programs that work, and demand results that reflect the dignity and humanity of every person in our community.
BEACH SIDE STR'S
Short‑term rentals are part of our city’s future, but they must be managed responsibly. As Mayor, I will ensure STRs strengthen our community instead of undermining it.
✅ Protect Neighborhood Integrity – Beachside residents deserve peace, safety, and stability. STRs should never disrupt the character of our neighborhoods.
✅ Respect Property Rights – Homeowners have the right to responsibly use their property. Clear, consistent rules will protect both residents and hosts. ✅ Enforce Compliance – STR operators must follow city codes, pay required taxes, and meet safety standards. Enforcement will be firm but fair.
✅ Support Tourism – STRs can boost our local economy by welcoming visitors. Responsible rentals benefit everyone.
✅ Community‑First Solutions – I will listen to residents, business owners, and visitors to craft policies that reflect Daytona Beach’s values.
Beachside is one of our greatest treasures. My commitment is to protect its character while allowing responsible growth. STRs should serve the community—not disrupt it.
