Mayor Santiago Avila delivered the City of Deltona’s State of the City address at a Deltona and Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce event, saying the city’s budget and capital program focus on stormwater, roads and economic growth.

"The state of our city is strong and growing stronger every day," Mayor Santiago Avila said, citing a newly adopted budget that reduced the millage rate for a third consecutive year and was built using a zero‑based approach.

Avila told attendees the city’s capital improvement program totals $78,000,000. Major allocations include $51,000,000 for water projects and upgrades to the Fisher wastewater treatment plant; $8,100,000 to elevate El Cam and Catalina boulevards to keep them passable during major hurricanes; $2,000,000 for general road repairs and resurfacing; $1,400,000 for land acquisition and elevation of homes in flood‑prone areas; and $8,200,000 for park improvements, which the mayor said will include a pickleball center, new courts, rubberized walking trails and expanded parking.

"To encourage others to invest in the city of Deltona, we must first invest in ourselves," Avila said, describing the budget as the product of "teamwork, planning, and the belief that when we put Deltona first, anything is possible." He also said the city eliminated 13 vacant positions to streamline operations and reinvest funds.

Avila and other speakers highlighted multiple stormwater and flood‑mitigation efforts. The mayor said the city opened "the WEIR" to better manage stormwater, crews cleared more than 75,000 feet of ditches, inspected over 500 storm drains and maintained more than 60 retention ponds. He added Deltona secured more than $60,000,000 in local, state and federal funding for infrastructure, specifically naming $22,000,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and $31,000,000 through the Water Resources Development Act that is "now awaiting final authorization."

Commissioners gave district updates that amplified the address. Vice Mayor Davidson Harriet (District 1) described nearly 900 feet of new drainage pipe and six new drainage boxes on Holliver Street and said nearly $1,000,000 in FEMA grant funding had been awarded for design and engineering on segments of El Pan and Catalina Boulevard. Commissioner Emma Santiago (District 2) noted commercial growth along Howland Boulevard and I‑4, including new distribution and retail facilities, and said her district received more than $200,000 in grant funding for design and engineering to elevate Catalina Boulevard. Commissioner Maritza Avila Vasquez (District 3) described a facade‑improvement grant program for the CRA and recent sidewalk work. Commissioners Dori Houghington (District 4), Stephen Colwell (District 5) and Chris Nobick (District 6) described park upgrades, further stormwater piping replacements and new fire equipment, respectively.

Economic development featured prominently. Avila and commissioners pointed to an Amazon distribution center that "brought more than 1,000 new jobs" to Deltona and named new local businesses including Dutch Bros, Chipotle, Culver's, an Aldi on Holland Boulevard, Super Key Food on Providence Boulevard and a Panda Express on Howland Boulevard. Avila said the city has launched an "uptown downtown" redevelopment plan intended to create space for restaurants, small business and community gathering.

Speakers highlighted efforts to expand digital infrastructure, naming partnerships such as Tillman Fiber and Giga Power that Avila said will help provide reliable high‑speed internet across Deltona. Public safety and storm readiness were also emphasized; Avila credited Deltona Fire Rescue and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office for preparedness during recent storms.

The address was delivered at a Deltona and Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce State of the City event that included remarks from chamber leaders and city partners.

Looking ahead, Avila said the city will "continue building our uptown downtown Deltona, accelerate infrastructure improvements across our neighborhoods, expand economic opportunities for residents and small businesses, and keep working towards a children's hospital that serves the heart of our region."