EP 115 Commissioner Ken Strickland

• Legislature is completing work on their FY 2025-26 budget with steps shore-up reserves and reduce spending. Ultimate arrangement is $2.25 billion in “revenue reductions,” with extra money being added to state reserves and more money to pay down existing debt
• Real Estate Values Forum…..Volusia Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett said 2025 just values hit a 20 year high at $108,517,934,61 and JUST VALUE estimates increased Countywide 3.8% vs 7% in 2024 and 15% in 2023
• First Step Shelter May Report…Total Shelter Intakes for May was 56…Total Rose Ann Tornatore Safe Zone for May was 94
• US City of New Smyrna Beach is about to open a new Off-Beach parking lot
• Volusia Schools’ Half-Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee to meet Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 PM at Facilities Services Bldg
• 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Stasia Warren has retired from the bench…was a County Court Judge 1991-2012……Circuit Court Judge 2017 - 2025
• Volusia’s Marine Science Center (located by the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse) to reopen June 23, following a $4.2 million renovation
• National Jobs Report…..139,000 jobs added in May…unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%…same for 3 straight months
• Numerous commentators are concerned about Trump's international trade agenda and stiff tariffs and how the rest of the world markets has screwed over the US. Economists at the World Bank just issued a statement saying, “Trump is right”.

REMINDER….County Charter Review Commission applications available now on Volusia.org…due by June 30…County Council to appoint members on July 22