State of the County Address Set for Ocean Center

Volusia County officials will highlight the past and look to the future this month in a series of public meetings around the community.

On Feb. 25 the annual State of the County address features a presentation from County Council members highlighting projects completed in 2024, according to a county media release. Officials will also discuss the county’s strategic goals and future initiatives at the event. Musical performances by area university ensembles and a complimentary lunch will be offered. The address begins at noon at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach.

The event is open to the public with limited seating.

“Attendees are strongly encouraged to make reservations at bit.ly/StateOfTheCounty2025 to secure a seat,” the release states. “Entry into the event and lunch cannot be guaranteed without an RSVP due to capacity limits.”

Also, in February the county will host a series of public informational sessions to discuss long-term beach improvement and resiliency planning. The meetings will provide an overview of shoreline trends, present findings from the county’s first Coastal User Survey, which received more than 12,000 responses, and explore potential long-term solutions, according to the release.

“The sessions aim to engage the community in identifying the most feasible and effective strategies for their specific communities,” the release states. “Rather than a formal presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to explore different stations and speak with County staff about various topics, including potential coastal resiliency solutions and historic shoreline trends. The public is welcome to arrive anytime during the two-hour session; attendance at the start is not required.”

All sessions will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Meeting Room 103 at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
• Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center, 3000 Bellemead Drive
• Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Ballroom at the Brannon Center, 105 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach

For those unable to attend, presentation materials and a virtual option for submitting feedback will be available at www.volusia.org after the final session.

“This initiative is not just about addressing current challenges; it is about defining the future and ensuring that Volusia County’s beaches remain a vital and cherished resource for generations to come,” the release said.