VOLUSIA COUNTY

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Although non-partisan, The League of Women Voters of Volusia County studies many local issues. Below is the current list of positions we have taken on these:

• Children's Services
• County Charter
• Local Government (Comprehensive Plan) – updated at 4/28/07 LWVVC annual meeting
• Natural Resources
• Stormwater
• Early Childhood Education and Care - Zero to Five – updated at 4/28/07 LWVVC annual meeting

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports efforts to make children’s services a priority in Volusia County, with the emphasis on early intervention, prevention, and prenatal care.

COUNTY CHARTER

The League

1. Supports protections of the County Charter and its principles, to include monitoring County Council to ensure that the principles are implemented.
2. Supports an appointed (rather than elected) sheriff, property appraiser, and supervisor of elections, all with professional qualifications.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (revised position, adopted April 28, 2007)

The League of Women Voters of Volusia county is concerned about the negative consequences of rapid growth throughout the region. In order to preserve the quality of life in Volusia County and to direct regional growth in a responsible manner:

1. LWVVC believes Volusia County and the municipalities within its borders should work together to protect the environment while providing reasonable use of the land and restricting the use of wetland mitigation.
2. LWVVC supports the buffering of environmentally sensitive land and water bodies and encourages the preservation of open, recreational, and green spaces to enhance and maintain quality of life within the county and its municipalities.
3. LWVVC supports giving public interest priority over private interest regarding the conservation of our natural habitats in Volusia County.
4. LWVVC supports increased attention to potable water issues, including the assurance of clean water in the Comprehensive Plans of Volusia County and its municipalities.
5. LWVVC supports development of effective drainage systems to improve recharge and retention areas and reduce flooding in Volusia county and its municipalities.
6. LWVVC support measures to ensure that any comprehensive plan amendment or rezoning that permits increased residential density may be approved only if public school capacity will be adequate to serve the projected increase in student population.

NATURAL RESOURCES

1. The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports efforts to conserve and protect our water supply as an essential part of ecosystem management. These efforts include:

a) The County Council’s continued implementation of Volusia County’s stormwater management ordinance.

b) LWVVC’s continued participation in the LWV Coalition to monitor the St. Johns River Water Management District.

c) Sound management of Volusia County’s designated sole source aquifer.

d) Protection of Volusia County’s recharge area.

e) Establishment of a county-wide entity to govern water usage.

2. LWVVC opposes the development of a Ponce Inlet Marina. (At the annual meeting, April 28, 2007, it was decided that a committee should be established to study the entire county and possible marina developments)

STORMWATER

1. Because stormwater basins and sub-canal systems cross city/community boundaries, LWVVC believes that Volusia County should be primarily responsible for their maintenance.

2. LWVVC supports both county and local stormwater fees.

3. There should be incentives for using reclaimed water.

4. Local municipalities should include streetsweeping in their stormwater management plans.

5. In addition to preventing flooding, effective stormwater management plans must provide for:

a) reduction of pollutants entering the waterways,

b) reduction of desalination of salt water tributaries in the county,

c) reclamation of stormwater to reduce the demands on the aquifer and

d) reduction of runoff pollution entering the aquifer.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE – ZERO TO FIVE (revised position, adopted April 28, 2007)

1. Recommendations to the Florida Legislature:

• Clarify or pass legislation that will permit TANF monies to be used for the working poor.
• Improve pay and benefits for child care staff.
• Amend statutes to require improved ratios of adults to children.
• Provide funding to assist facilities in becoming Gold Seal facilities.
• Permit child placing agencies to evaluate child care facilities and to provide information to parents to help them make informed decisions.

2. Recommendations to the Florida Legislature and the Volusia County Council:

• Require licensing of all Family Child Care Homes.
• Provide funding for additional licensing personnel.
• Develop a training program for all Family Child Care Homes. (It was decided at the Annual Meeting, April 28, 2007, that this issue needs further study)

3. Recommendations for Community Involvement:

• Develop facilities for night and weekend child care.
• Develop alternative programs for ill children.
• Encourage companies to collaborate on establishing quality child care for employees.

To contact the League of Women Voters of Volusia County:

mail@lwvvc.org

386-238-7361

LWVVC

Post Office Box 9695

Daytona Beach, FL 32120

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Last updated May 8, 2007, by Betty D. Johnson