Multiple public speakers told the Volusia County Charter Review Commission on Nov. 10 that the county's process for reallocating previously approved cultural funds lacked transparency and formal votes.

Cameron Vincent, executive director of the Art House Foundation, asked how "an already approved budget item" could be reallocated "without a formal vote, without public notice," and urged clearer procedures to ensure council adherence to transparent processes. Lloyd Bowers, a cultural council member, said cultural funding has been a hallmark program for the county and criticized recent actions that eliminated longstanding funding lines without an affirmative vote.

Commissioners agreed to return the topic to a future meeting and to frame potential charter-related language as a statement of priorities rather than a guaranteed appropriation. County staff noted a charter cannot mandate a specific millage amount for programs like Volusia Forever or ECHO but the commission can identify priorities in a transmittal letter that accompanies proposed charter amendments.

What’s next: The commission will schedule a follow-up discussion on cultural funding priorities and possible transmittal language that signals the public’s interest to elected council members.