Mayor Henry provides city budget update

Happy New Year! Today is the first day of the fiscal year for your city government. Watch Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry provide an update on the city’s budget and priorities as elected leaders and staff focus on efforts to make Daytona Beach the community of choice.

COVID-19 testing moves to Daytona International Speedway

The free COVID-19 testing site provided by Curative, Volusia County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health has moved from the Midtown Community Center to a parking lot at the Daytona International Speedway (enter off of Bill France and International Speedway boulevards).

Testing is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred; however, walk-ups are welcome.

Appointments can be booked through Curative’s online portal or by calling (888)702-9042. There is no charge for the test, but patients will be asked for health insurance information. Patients without health insurance will not be turned away.

Curative will have trained workers on-site observing and directing patients to complete a self-collected, shallow nasal PCR test. Tests are available for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients ages one year and older. Patients can expect results within 48 hours upon receipt at the lab. To ensure the safety of testing staff and community members, people should wear a mask while at the testing site.

City implementing new utilities rate structure

Beginning today, the city is implementing a new rate structure to calculate monthly water bills. Most single-family residential customers will see a reduction in their statements because minimum-use quantities are being replaced with the actual number of gallons used, a change which will encourage water conservation.

The last time service rates were modified other than the annual Consumer Price Index adjustment was in 2004.

In addition to the change in the rate structure, customers who have a timely payment history for 24 consecutive months beginning with October 2021’s statement, will have their deposits refunded through a credit to their account starting in October 2023.

The changes come after a water and wastewater rate and strategic planning study (PDF) was completed that recommended several changes to the city’s utility rates and structure. Under the recommended rate structure, more than 90% of single-family residential customers will see a reduction in their monthly bill. The comprehensive study was conducted by Raftelis, a utility and public-sector consulting firm, and includes a 10-year financial outlook. Commissioners approved the recommended changes in February.

Customers with questions can call (386) 671-8100 or email the Utility Billing department.

Midtown Love Day is Saturday

Bring the family to the Midtown Love Day this Saturday, Oct. 2, and enjoy free food, music, giveaways and more. Sponsored by Rev. Dr. Nathan M. Mugala and Daytona Beach City Commissioner Quanita May (Zone 3), the free community event is from noon to 3 p.m. at Allen Chapel AME, located at 580 George W. Engram Blvd. For more information, call (386) 235-7299.