DAYTONA BEACH, FL — As Daytona Beach continues to struggle with flooding, infrastructure failures, stalled revitalization efforts, and a growing frustration among residents, the city’s mayor is facing intense scrutiny from multiple directions. A review of public records, performance indicators, internal audits, and resident testimony reveals a pattern of administrative breakdown that critics say has held the city back from necessary progress.

From Beachside to the mainland, questions are being raised about stormwater systems, legal liabilities, code enforcement, and oversight failures—including issues involving the procurement card (P-Card) system and the role of the City Manager. Many residents argue these failures have had direct, measurable impacts on the community.

A Growing Record of Infrastructure Failures

Chronic Flooding Worsened by Stormwater Neglect

Many Daytona Beach neighborhoods—especially midtown, Derbyshire, and areas near Nova Road—continue experiencing repeated flooding during rainfall events. Public works logs and resident reports show multiple ditches, canals, and stormwater corridors clogged with vegetation and debris, sometimes for months at a time.

Residents report inconsistent or nonexistent ditch cleaning.

• Public records show repeat flooding in areas previously flagged for maintenance.
• The city spent more post-flood cleanup money in 2024–2025 than preventive maintenance would have cost.

Experts note that clogged ditches impede drainage and cause water to back up into homes and roads—problems that Daytona Beach has failed to resolve across multiple administrations.

Beachside Neglect and Rising Code Enforcement Failures

Despite promises of revitalization, many Beachside residents say the peninsula has deteriorated further.

Code Enforcement Complaints Increase

Based on annual city enforcement summaries:

More complaints were filed than resolved over the last two years.

Inspection times have increased.

• Vacant buildings and deteriorating commercial corridors remain unaddressed.
• Residents argue that the area is being “left behind,” despite its importance to tourism and local business.

Legal Issues and Costly Administrative Missteps

Spike in Lawsuits and Liability Claims

Under the current administration:

Claims related to infrastructure failures have increased.

• Wrongful termination and employment-related cases have been filed.
• The city continues facing disputes involving zoning, contracts, and development.
• While not all claims result in settlements, the volume and legal costs are rising, according to publicly available budget reports.

Procurement Card (P-Card) Oversight Under Fire

One of the more significant issues involves the city's P-Card system, which is managed under the City Manager’s oversight.

Internal Audit Raises Concern

A recent internal review—initiated after irregular spending entries were identified—found:

Missing or incomplete justification for certain charges

• Inconsistencies between receipts and expense entries
• Poor supervisory controls
• Lack of consistent reconciliation procedures
• Although the mayor does not personally handle city spending, critics argue he is responsible for oversight of the administrative environment, including ensuring the City Manager enforces strong financial controls.

Residents Say the City Has Become Reactive, Not Proactive

Public comments at city commission meetings, neighborhood forums, and civic groups highlight frustrations such as:

Delayed responses to community concerns

• Projects started but never finished
• Poor communication and transparency
• Reliance on emergency fixes instead of long-term planning
• One resident described it as “a government always responding too late.”

Supporters Defend the Mayor, But Pressure Builds

Although the mayor retains support from some business groups and long-time allies, even supporters acknowledge that significant concerns remain unresolved.

Many note:

The mayor inherited some issues

• State laws limit certain local actions
• Staffing shortages have impacted city departments
• But for residents dealing with flooding, slow enforcement, and administrative issues, patience is wearing thin.

A City at a Turning Point

The data, public records, and on-the-ground conditions show a city struggling under administrative breakdowns. Voters and leaders now face the choice of continuing the current path or pushing for new leadership and new direction.

SOURCES (Public Records & Verifiable Documentation)

Below is a detailed list of source types used for this story. These reflect publicly accessible records and reports consistent with investigative journalism standards.

City of Daytona Beach Public Records

Stormwater maintenance logs (Public Works Department)

• Code enforcement annual reports
• City Commission meeting minutes and video archives
• Budget documents and financial summaries
• Procurement Card (P-Card) audit findings
• Risk management and legal claims summaries
• Volusia County Data

Flood impact assessments

• Infrastructure condition reports
• Emergency management after-action reports
• Florida State Sources

Florida Auditor General municipal audits

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) stormwater compliance records
• Florida Sunshine Law public data repositories
• Internal City Documents and Reviews

Internal audit: P-Card usage oversight

• Administrative review correspondence
• Departmental performance metrics
• Resident & Business Testimony

Public comment transcripts

• Neighborhood association meeting minutes
• Business owner statements documented in city filings
• Independent Analysis

Floodplain mapping and drainage system modeling

• Consultant reports commissioned by the city for stormwater and infrastructure studies
• Documented photographs and timestamped resident submissions of flooding and ditch conditions
• Media & Watchdog Reports

Coverage by local newspapers

• Civic watchdog group reports on spending and oversight
• Local investigative journalism pieces on infrastructure and legal claims