City of Port Orange 2021 State of the City Address

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The City of Port Orange, City Officials, took to YouTube this year to share the City's Annual State of the City Address.

The video started with Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, who described the actions the city took over the last year to help both the residents and business community in the city.

Granting temporary outdoor dining permits to restaurants, relaxing outdoor signage ordinances, providing virtual building inspections, and initiating a local campaign “Keep it Local – I am. I go. I support” are just some of the many things the city has done to serve the community.

“Keeping things local helps our neighbors,” Said Mayor Burnette in the address.

Coronavirus Aid Relief was another big factor in helping the city with different initiatives, to help the business community, along with the under/un-employed residents.

“It all starts with supporting local business,” said Mayor Burnette. “That’s what Port Orange is all about.”

Many other accomplishments from community development and infrastructure have been implemented in 2020, and there are more things to come in 2021.

The city of Port Orange was able to get its Paymentus system up and running to help with processing online payments for utility bills. Public Works is continuously maintaining the city and has installed water sample stations for water quality checks to ensure citizens are getting high-quality water.

“All the accomplishments in 2020 are meant to express our commitment to great customer service,” Mayor Burnette said.

In 2021 residents can look forward to a new ‘SmartGov’ system which will allow residents to access and apply for permits online and reduce trips down to City Hall. Street sweeping will begin to be done in-house, through the public works department, and construction on a new training tower for Port Orange Fire Rescue is set to break ground in late 2021.

Scott Stiltner, Representative of District 4, announced that Airport Road Park will be getting a remodel, Thrive Church will be coming to the lot adjacent to Cypress Creek Elementary School off Williamson, and the Advent Health building is scheduled to be completed in Late 2021.

Drew Bastian, Vice Mayor and Representative of District 3, informs residents that Takara Japanese Steakhouse, is almost complete and will be coming soon, Halifax Health is planning to build a one-story medical office next to the springs apartments off of Williamson, and that a large meter replacement project has been completed for water going from Spruce Creek Highschool, all the way to the Fly-in.

Chase Tramont, Representative of District 2, showcased the growth of the Palmer College footprint with the expansion of the parking lot, and a two-story classroom building, the Completion of the Atlantic Apartments being scheduled for the end of 2021, and a Dairy Queen Grill and Chill coming to the city, in the parking lot of the Neighborhood Walmart off Clyde Morris.

Marilyn Ford, Representative of District 1, gave an emotional farewell to the city in the address, before highlighting the completion of the American Legion 270 rebuild, after the old building was destroyed in a fire back in 2019. She also praised the noticeable changes brought after the completion of the Dunlawton Lighting Project. Phase 3 of the Riverwalk project is underway and is scheduled to be completed in September.

“I am grateful for all the residents of Port Orange,” Said Mayor Burnette in closing. “I am looking forward to 2021.”