ORLANDO, Fla. — Homeowners in Volusia County’s largest city could be paying more in property taxes so the city can make stormwater improvements. 

City leaders say those improvements are needed to prevent flooding after floodwaters caused problems after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last year.

What You Need To Know

  • After 250 homes flooded and some roads had to close after Ian, Deltona city leaders have a plan to improve city stormwater infrastructure

  • The improvement plans would cost about $50 million

  • City leaders are proposing a 25% property tax increase to pay for it, increasing each home’s annual tax from $128 to $160

  • Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila says he believes city leaders will pass the tax hike, but he hopes it will only be in effect for one year until the city can get more state and federal funding for improvements

After 250 homes flooded and some roads had to close after Ian, Deltona city leaders have a plan to improve city stormwater infrastructure. But that plan costs about $50 million.

City leaders are proposing a 25% property tax increase to pay for it, increasing each home’s annual tax from $128 to $160. Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila Jr., who took over as mayor in November 2022, says because the city did not keep up with stormwater improvements, the city will have to play catch-up.

“Unfortunately, because people in the past playing politics and kicking the can down the road, we’re now being faced with an increase which is two dollars or so a month - essentially $32 for the full year,” said Avila.

The mayor says the plan is to raise the tax rate for one year and then find state and federal funding to cover future stormwater expenses.

Rick Marrier says when he moved into his Deltona home 12 years ago, most of the area behind his home was dry. But last year after Ian, floodwaters covered much of his property. 

The water eventually receded, but he was already worried because just from summer storms the water is already higher than where it was last year this time. 

“It makes me very nervous because we haven’t even had a hurricane. If we get a hurricane this year, I’m not looking forward to that,” said Marrier. 

Floodwaters stopped short of going into Marrier’s home in 2022, but floodwaters around his home affected his septic system, leaving him and his wife without running water or use of their bathrooms.

“My wife and I are both retired – we certainly don’t need an increase in taxes – by I don’t want my house flooded either so sometimes you’ve got to sacrifice,” said Marrier. 

Marrier says it’s the price of living in paradise.

“You pick a spot and you don’t think it will flood, but it turns out it will flood,” said Marrier. “You know, it’s the Florida life and I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

Mayor Avila says while the tax increase isn’t a done deal, he believes it will pass because it’s needed. 

City leaders are expected to bring up the issue at a meeting in August.