North Orlando News

Florida’s Seventh— This week, Congressman Cory Mills (FL-07) voted in favor of the Water and Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which passed in the House of Representatives authorizing funding and language for initiatives in the cities of Deltona, Oviedo, and Volusia County in Florida’s 7th Congressional District.

“I am proud to announce that my team and I have secured significant funding for FL-07 in the Water and Resource Development Act of 2024, which passed in the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024. The new environmental infrastructure authorities include $31.2 million for Deltona, FL, $10 million for Oviedo, FL, and report language expediting the review and completion of the Volusia County storm damage reduction and coral resilience study,” said Congressman Cory Mills. “As a native Floridian and resident of New Smyrna Beach, I have seen firsthand the damage past hurricanes have inflicted on our beloved beaches here in Central Florida. In addition to the residents who live here year-round, our beaches also welcome countless tourists throughout the year. I have met with officials here in Florida’s 7th and will do everything I can in Congress to ensure our district gets the recovery efforts we need.”

The City of Deltona currently offers limited wastewater (sanitary sewer) service to its overall customer base. This lack of central wastewater service has hindered commercial development, skewing existing development towards primarily residential over commercial. The city aims to accommodate additional commercial development along busier thoroughfares but finds it unfeasible without installing sanitary sewers.

“I want to thank Representative Cory Mills and his staff for all their hard work requesting funding for these projects in our great city. As Mayor, trying to move our city into the future while keeping taxes on our Residents as low as possible is a challenge on many levels. Many here in Deltona are more concerned with personal strife than doing the People's work. They are concerned with elevating themselves and not the Residents and voters. I have to say that Representative Cory Mills is not one of those people. He works tirelessly for his district and the People of Deltona. Actions speak louder than words but this potential for funding... that's something you can put in the bank and Representative Mills continues to deliver,” said City of Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila.

In Oviedo, current potable water supply demand projections indicate that existing upper Floridian aquifer well consumptive use permit groundwater withdrawal allocations are insufficient to meet 2040 demands. This funding will help obtain an additional 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of groundwater capacity from the Lower Floridian Aquifer (LFA) for anticipated population growth. LFA wells are seen as a viable solution to supplement water demands up to the anticipated planning horizon.

"Water is one of Florida's most valuable natural resources and we are grateful for Congressman Mills' support of our community so Oviedo can continue to provide for the critical needs of our residents as Central Florida continues to grow,” said City of Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek.

Volusia County beaches, particularly Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, and New Smyrna Beach were devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022 after years of negligible impacts on the shoreline. To move this critical recovery effort forward, a shoreline study would need to take place before funding can be authorized.

“We very much appreciate the efforts of Congressman Mills and his staff and their support of repairing and replenishing Volusia County Beaches,” said George Recktenwald, Volusia County Manager. “The beaches are one of Volusia County’s strongest economic drivers and expediting the feasibility study will help the community continue its recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.”

Media Contact: MillsPress@mail.house.gov

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