Government Relations E-News
July 22, 2020
Each week, Chamber staff meets with elected officials and attends numerous City, County and School Board meetings (including virtual). Below is a recap of our recent activity along with information for upcoming events.
 
The Chamber is constantly working to build relations with our state agencies in Tallahassee as well as Volusia County entities.
 
To learn more about the Chamber’s Government Relations activities,
call Jim Cameron at 386.566.2140.
Daytona Beach City Commission Mandates Masks, Sets Fines 
County Council drafting a new ordinance for masks...County
By a 5-2 vote, the Daytona Beach City Commission set fines at $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $150 for the third offenses for anyone not complying with face covering mandate.
 
There are exemptions to wearing a face covering. Click here to review the list of exemptions. Click here for a printable flyer for Daytona Beach businesses to display.
At yesterday's meeting, the Volusia County Council discussed different mask options and adopted a resolution.....not a mandate. To date, 3 cities...Daytona Beach, Orange City and Deland have adopted a mask ordinance including a civil penalty. Bottom line....the intent is to encourage citizens to wear face masks.
Congress Convenes ( July 20 to August 7) to address several issues related to COVID 19  
New Stimulus plans to come before Congress this week ….the Senate is expected to present draft a new Stimulus Package including second stimulus checks . Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the President support second stimulus checks.
However, the  amount and eligibility criteria are up for debate . Currently being debated are a $1,200 one-time stimulus check or a $2,000 a month stimulus checks and some are suggesting a lesser amount. It’s likely any second stimulus check will be more targeted/limited and available only to individuals who earn up to $40,000 a year .
 
Congress will likely vote on a package before its August 7 recess. Those eligible should receive a stimulus check by Labor Day.
$600 Supplement Ends July 31...... On July 15, there were approximately 18 million unemployed citizens versus 5.4 million job openings.
 
While numerous employers are seeking to fill jobs, many workers currently receiving $600 per week federal supplement in addition to Florida’s unemployment rather stay home. However, that $600 per week unemployment supplement expires July 31.

Some in Congress are calling to replace that aid with a cash bonus for those who find a new job while others want to continue the $600 per week federal support. Note - Florida’s maximum unemployment benefits are $275 per week.
 
Congress will seek to find a compromise as it addresses new legislation in the next few weeks.
Liability Protections for Businesses..... Liability protection for businesses, hospitals and schools is a must-have provision for Senate leaders who want five-year, retroactive protection from 2019 to 2024. See Chamber’s Tallahassee Speaker Series article below. 
State and Local Aid...... Both parties in Congress realize that without federal support, some cities and states will face dire financial circumstances, budget cuts and potential bankruptcy. Congress likely will  approve state and local aid , although the dollar amounts may differ between parties. State and local aid also will include financial support to schools, colleges and universities to ensure they can re open safely this fall .
 
The final stimulus package could be in the $1.5 - $2.0 trillion range. Several items, lacking bipartisan support, not likely to be included in the next stimulus package are a payroll tax cut, student loan forgiveness , and new infrastructure plan. 
PPP Flexibility Act brings Updates for Small Business Borrowers.....
Last month, Congress approved the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) which provides significant updates/changes:
  • For anyone still interested in applying for PPP funds, new applications are being accepted again until August 8.
  • Loan recipients now have 24 weeks (vs 8) to spend loan proceeds and still be eligible for forgiveness.
  • Qualification for forgiveness has been reduced from 75% of funds spent on payroll to 60%.

Any portion of the loan not eligible for forgiveness will still be subject to a 1% interest rate, but the repayment term (for loans issued after June 5) has been increased from two to five years.
For more information, consult your bank/credit union for more details. 
To apply, click to download a copy of the  PPP borrower application form (revised June 12, 2020)  to see the information that will be requested from you when you apply with a lender.  
Senator Marco Rubio , Senate Small Business Committee Chair, has drafted legislation S 3992  for the next phase of relief loans for small firms impacted by COVID 19.
 
The first stage of PPP ended June 30 (approved more than 4.8 million loans totaling $519 billion) with more than $130 billion in remaining funds and  new virus cases  spiking in states.
Rubio wants to use remaining PPP funds for a second round of assistance targeted at the smallest of firms and those in underserved communities. He is looking to re-purpose PPP funds, i.e. allowing chambers of commerce to apply, setting aside $25 billion for businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and targeting firms that have been hardest hit.
 
Click here for more information.
Volusia Small Businesses still can Apply for Relaunch Grant 
The  Relaunch Volusia Business Grant Program  still has funds for eligible businesses that have not yet applied. Grants are available for:
 
  • Small Businesses: 25 employees or less
  • Small Businesses: 26-50 employees
  • Home-based Businesses
  • Non-profit 501(c)3 Organizations
For more information on the Relaunch Volusia grant program,  click here .
Chamber to Host Tallahassee Speaker Series
Business Regulations/Liability in a COVID-19 Environment
Thursday, August 20, 4-5 pm Virtual Zoom Call

DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears (invited) will review current rules/regulations for businesses to operate. These rules not only encompass employees but customers as well. This will include documenting business with suppliers/contractors, communications with governmental entities as well as record-keeping.
 
Senators Jeff Brandes and Tom Wright (invited) will discuss proposed legislation to protect businesses that are following CDC and Dept of Health guidelines from lawsuits if their customers or employees contract the coronavirus in their establishments.
 
Click here to register.
Volusia School District Update
For the past several meetings, the School Board has been working on plans to reopen schools this Fall with a safe environment for students, teachers and other school personnel.
District officials have announced three options for families:
  • Traditional schooling at the facility….temperatures checks, masks at all times, social distancing, as well as other stipulations.
  • Volusia Online Learning whereby students will complete self-paced lessons and attend interactive live virtual lessons.
  • Volusia Live whereby students remain home with teachers providing live instruction from the classroom via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Volusia Schools are set to begin August 31. At their recent Board meeting, Interim Superintendent Carmen Balgobin stressed that more information will be forthcoming. 

At the same time, District officials are crunching numbers to determine their FY 2020-21 budget and millage rate (to be set at t heir next regular Virtual School Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 3:30 pm. See budget article below.
County, Cities and School Board sets Tentative Millage Rate
County of Volusia –
Proposed General Fund Rate 5.45 mills (FY 2019-20 was 5.59 mills)
Roll Back Rate - 5.25 mills
1st Public Hearing - Sept 15, 6 pm

Volusia School District -
Proposed General Fund Rate 5.90 mills (FY 2019-20 was 6.08 mills)
Roll Back Rate 5.7 mills
1st Public Hearing - July 28, 3:30 pm and Sept 8, 3:30 pm

City of Daytona Beach –
Proposed General Fund 5.53 mills (FY 2019-20 was 5.85 mills)
Roll Back Rate   5.53
1st Public Hearing - Sept 9, 6 pm

City of Ormond Beach -
Proposed General Fund Rate 3.90 mills (FY 2019-20 was 4.08 mills)
Roll Back Rate 3.90 mills
1st Public Hearing - Sept 9, 7 pm

City of Port Orange -
Proposed General Fund Rate TBA mills (FY 2019-20 was 4.52 mills)
Roll Back Rate TBD mills
1st Public Hearing - Sept 15, 6:30 pm

City of Daytona Beach Shores -
Proposed General Fund Rate 5.23 (FY 2019-20 was 5.23 mills)
Roll Back Rate 5.04 mills
Budget Workshop - August 7, 1 pm 1st Public Hearing - Sept 9, 6 pm

City of Holly Hill -
Proposed General Fund Rate TBA mills (FY 2019-20 was 6.25 mills)
Roll Back Rate TBD mills
Budget Workshop - July 28, 6 pm

City of South Daytona -
Proposed General Fund Rate TBA mills (FY 2019-20 was 7.75 mills)
Roll Back Rate TBD mills
Budget Workshop - July 28, 6 pm
Chamber's Eggs & issues Breakfast
August 13, 8 - 9 AM virtual zoom conference call.
Topic - Building a Talent Pipeline: What Employers Should Know.
School Board member Linda Cuthbert, Interim School Supt Carmen Balgobin , will discuss the role of school district’s curriculum in providing a skilled workforce for local employers and CareerSource CEO Robin King will talk about what specific skills our employers are needing.

The program will include several audience poll questions to gauge member input. 

Price is $17 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. You will need your member portal username and password to access the member rate.

With your $17 payment, all registrants will receive a $10 gift card to a local Daytona Regional Chamber member breakfast restaurant to use at your leisure. It's just one small way we can support some of our members and begin to return to some level of normalcy.

Click here to RSVP. Sponsors for these breakfasts are Halifax Health and Daytona Beach News-Journal .
Preview of 2020 Elections
Primary Election

 Early Voting
Aug 8 - Aug 15
Early Voting Hrs 8 am - 6 pm
Election Day August 18

Polls open
7 am - 7 pm ONLY
General Election

 October 5, Voter Registration Deadline (for Nov 3 election)
------------------
Early Voting
Oct 19 - Nov 1
Early Voting Hours
7 am - 7 pm
------------------
Election Day November 3
Polls open
7 am - 7 pm ONLY
Click here for NEW information on voting by mail in Volusia County.
C lick here to request your Vote by Mail ballot.
Volusia County Chair

County Council Dist 2
  • Billie Wheeler Incumbent
  • Danny Fuqua

County Council Dist 3
  • Gary Conroy
  • Johan D'Hondt
  • Danny Robins

County Council Dist 4

Volusia Tax Collector
  • Will Roberts
  • David Santiago

School Board, Dist 2
  • Anita Burnette               
  • Andre Grant
  • Ida Wright Incumbent

State Attorney, 7th Circuit

US House - Dist 6

State Senate District 7

State Senate District 9

State House, District 24

State House, District 25
State House, District 26

State House, District 27

Daytona Beach, Mayor
  • Sherrise Boyd
  • Derrick Henry Incumbent
  • Ken Strickland

Daytona Beach Commission Zone 2
  • Aaron Delgado Incumbent  
  • Tony Servance 

Daytona Beach Commission Zone 4
  • Rob Gilliland Incumbent
  • Stacy Cantu

Ormond Beach, Mayor

Ormond City Comm Zone 1

Ormond City Comm Zone 2

Ormond City Comm Zone 4

Port Orange - Mayor

South Daytona - Mayor

South Daytona Council Seat 4
Re-Elected without Opposition -

Carl Persis - School Board, District 4
Mike Chitwood - Sheriff
Larry Bartlett - Property Appraiser
Paula Reed - Daytona Beach Commission Zone 6
Susan Persis - O rmond City Commission - Zone 3
Brandon Young - South Daytona Council Seat 1
Chris Via - Holly Hill Mayor
John Penny - Holly Hill Commission District 1
Penny Currie - Holly Hill Commission District 2
John Danio - Holly Hill Commission District 3
Roy Johnson - Holly Hill Commission District 4
Richard Bryan - Daytona Beach Shores Council 
Drew Bastian - Port Orange City Council
HobNob 2020
October 14,
4-7 pm

Learn about candidates and issues for the November 3 ballot.

More information will be forthcoming.
Area Staff Info Exchange Conference Calls
In an effort to maintain relations with our Tallahassee and Washington officials, the Chamber brings area staff members from Senators Marco Rubio’s and Rick Scott’s offices, Congressman Michael Waltz’ office, State CFO Jimmy Patronis’ and Governor Ron DeSantis’ offices to meet with local Chamber businesses and community leaders.

Since we're not able to host them here due to current restrictions, the Chamber has been scheduling weekly conference calls with these staff members as well as local business/elected officials.

The purpose of these calls is to keep these offices up-to-date on activity in Volusia i.e. maintain relationships.

Call Jim Cameron at 566-2140 if you would like to participate.
Volusia County Census 2020
The Daytona Regional Chamber is co-chair for the Business Subcommittee on Volusia County’s 2020 Census Committee.
 
During the 2010 Census, 74% of the county’s residents completed their forms. We can do better than that! It is critically important that we ensure a complete and accurate count of Volusia County’s population because millions of dollars in federal and state funding depend on our numbers.
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
126 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386.255.0981 | info@daytonachamber.com

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