OAK HILL, Fla. -- During 2015, your city commission was very busy with many issues. The City continued free annexations. Doing so has lead to eight annexations into the City. An official zoning map was approved after 20 years without one.
Sunrise Park was purchased from the J.R. Vann Family for $125,000. Grants were obtained for the purchase by Planning Solu-tions, to off set the cost to the City.
The contract with the Volusia County Sherriff for police services in Oak Hill at the cost of $565,000 was renewed. The City hired a part time code enforcement ffficer. The City entered an agreement with CMA, Inc. to bring internet, TV, and phone services into the City at a fair rate soon to be available to the citizens.
The City requested that Volusia County put infrastructure, water, and sewer, for Oak Hill into its Capital Improvement Plan. 415 acres on US 1 was rezoned to industrial; this will include 70 percent of the property used as conservation and Agriculture with the 30% industrial building located in the center of the property. This was completed even though there was outside intervention and misinformation given to our citizens.
The City requested that Volusia County put infrastructure, water, and sewer, for Oak Hill into its Capital Improvement Plan. 415 acres on US 1 was rezoned to industrial; this will include 70 percent of the property used as conservation and Agriculture with the 30% industrial building located in the center of the property. This was completed even though there was outside intervention and misinformation given to our citizens.
Dealing with feral cats, roads resurfaced & representation on Volusia Growth Management
The Oak Hill Kitty Committees begun efforts to reduce feral cats within the City. They have successfully spade and neutered 85 cats.
Also within this year Wood Avenue was resurfaced at a cost of $32,000 and repaired a hole on Lazy Z Lane for $13,000. After several years without a city representative on the Volusia Growth Management Commission, (Oak Hill resident) Mark McGee was appointed.
The building depart-ment has been busy with eight new residential houses built. The City has also com-pleted a Brownfield Assessment 1 & 2 of the old public works building.
Issues in current fiscal year and beyond
During (current year 2016), the City Commission will be faced with several issues that were not completed in 2015. The commission plans to accomplish the following:
• Start a Brownfield assessment for the old Kelly’s bait property and create a redevelopment plan for the old public works building;
• Continue to find ways to reduce property tax for the citizens;
• Review and finalize the City Administrators contract and make the necessary corrections to the City Employee Manual;
• Find grants and apply for permits to replenish the shoreline at Sunrise Park. Enter a agreement with Volusia County, Edgewater, and New Smyrna Beach to obtain a plan to improve water quality of the Lagoon. The plan is needed to obtain grant monies to remove septic systems from along the river;
• Continue efforts to bring water and sewer to citizens. Look to resolve issues of non-conformity for several property owners. Complete the Inter Local Boundary Service Agreement with the County. As it is needed for future annexations and services.
Photo for Headline Surfer® /• The City’s upcoming election of three seats: Mayor, seat 2, and seat 4;
Through the year issues will come up that the commission will need to address and citizens input will be needed. Please come to our meetings and let your voice be heard.
State of the City 2015-2016