DAYTONA BEACH
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 1, NO. 18
SANDCRABS WIN TWO PAGE 6B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
Legislative bills could bar Daytona from state funds Bills by Leek, Tramont would require city to ‘right funding wrongs’ to receive state legislative money. PAGE 8A
Toilet to tap? Officials weigh in County Council seeks information in light of charter amendment effort. PAGE 4A INSIDE PLAN ON HOLD
Volusia County’s ECHO strategic plan vote tabled over an advisory committee member’s email. PAGE 5A
NOBLE INFUSION
Local infusion therapy company expands to a new office location in Palm Coast. PAGE 5B
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 5B Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner................PAGE 2A Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters........................ PAGE 9A Public Notices............ PAGE 4C Schools....................... PAGE 3B Sports......................... PAGE 6B Tributes ...................... PAGE 8C Real Estate................. PAGE 4B
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Daytona to pay $2M to Minto in settlement Lawsuit alleged Daytona Beach charged the Margaritaville developer more than necessary for permit, building fees. SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Daytona Beach City Commission has unanimously approved a $2 million rebate to settle its lawsuit against Minto Communities, LLC. Minto Communities, the developer of Latitude Margaritaville, sued Daytona Beach in November 2024. The company alleged Daytona Beach overcharged Minto Communities for building permit fees. The lawsuit alleges Daytona Beach has kept funds in excess of its operational costs for the building department for years. “The City’s decision to consistently stockpile carry-forward balances in excess of its average operating costs…makes clear that the City’s fee schedule is and has not been based on a reasonable estimate of the actual costs of enforcing the Building Code,” the lawsuit complaint reads. At the time the lawsuit was filed in November 2024, the complaint states the city had still in excess of $11 million in its carry-forward balance.
Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach. Photo by Sierra Williams
Money in the Permits & Licensing Fund is used to pay the city’s annual operating budget for enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Minto’s lawsuit accused the city of knowingly charging more money than needed to enforce the Florida Building Code. According to Jan. 21 city meeting documents, in exchange for the $2 million rebate of excess funds, Minto has agreed to settle and dis-
miss the case. A judgement against the city could result in a “significantly higher” than the proposed settlement, the documents state. The money will come from the city’s P&L Fund. Florida State legislators have had Daytona Beach under review for the excess money in its P&L Fund since 2021. In November 2025, Daytona Beach was admonished by the Florida legislators over its
THREE-TIME CHAMP For the third consecutive year, the No.7 Porsche Penske Motorsport team won the 64th running of the Rolex 24 race at the Daytona Beach International Speedway on Jan. 25. The race drew record crowds. Photo courtesy of the Daytona Beach International Speedway
excess permit fee revenue and told to spend the money or return it to developers or tax payers. City Commissioner Stacy Cantu asked the commission to begin a review process of the city’s permit fees to what is needed for the operational budget. City Manager Deric Feacher said he plans on bringing back a reduction and rebate plan for the fund for the Daytona Beach City Commission to review soon.