NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. New Smyrna Beach officials hosted a regional summit Thursday night at the Brannon Center with sister cities Edgewater, Oak Hill and Port Orange to discuss possible consolidation of services, enhancing partnerships and marketing opportunities with NSB's athletic complex and economic development. Above left are Mayors Allen Green of Port Orange, Adam Barringer of NSB and Michael Thomas of Edgewater. Seated behind them is Realtor Ellen Darden of NSB. Seated in the upper right photo are Volusia County Councilman Jack Hayman and NSB City Commissioner Jack Grasty.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Mayor Adam Barringer understands there is strength in numbers. Which is why he hosted a summit Thursday at the Brannon Center with officials from neighboring cities of Edgewater, Oak Hill and Port Orange.
He was joined at the head of the table by Port Orange Mayor Allen Green and Edgewater Mayor Michael Thomas. Oak Hill Mayor Darla Lauer was a no-show.
The nearly three-hour summit focused on fire services, a Southeast Volusia transportation study, economic development and regional recreational partnerships through New Smyrna Beach's mega-sports complex.
Certainly there were more questions than answers with only a handful of people from the public, but Barringer and other officials were pleased with the dialogue that occurred.
"Collaboration among the cities is very important," Barringer said. "It's essential that we unify our resources in Southeast Volusia to ultimately benefit our citizens and taxpayers."
Port Orange Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Mary Martin agreed. saying after the meeting, "Anytime we can get together as a group, it's a benefit to us all."
At far left, NSB City Commissioner Jim Hathaway relaxes during a break in the proceedings. Far left, NSB City Commissioner Judy Reiker is among the participants, along with Port Orange City Manager Ken Parker, two seats down.
One of the longer discussions centered on fire safety and the costs associated with it. Fire Chiefs David McAllister of New Smyrna Beach, Steve Cousins of Edgewater and Tom Weber of Port Orange talked about the benefits of RCC, the Regional Response Communications, that provides dispatch and some shared servives.
New Smyrna Beach City Commissioner Jim Hathaway and County Council member Jack Hayman cut right to the chase and asked the fire chiefs about the prospect of consolidation.
At left, Edgewater Fire Chief Steve Cousins, New Smyrna Beach Fire Chief David McAllister and Port Orange Fire Chief Tom Weber make their presentation on joint fire services.
"What about consolidation?" Hathaway asked bluntly.
Port Orange's Weber responded, "I think those opportunities are there," but added he wasn't not sure how much of a real cost savings would be realized in the long run, especially with the prospect of future growth.
Hayman added, "We haven't focused enough on personnel costs -- the runaway costs of personnel, particularly with the pensions.
Port Orange Mayor Allen Green, whose city actually cut back firefighter pay in the last fiscal year, added, "Everyone complains about the costs, but wants the services."
There was also brief discussion on economic development and future transportation needs, including a consensus among the cities to better address mutual concerns where one city has a large commercial development and the adjoining city has to deal with traffic.
At far left, New Smyrna Beach Parks and Recreation Director Liz Yancey makes a presentation regarding the NSB sports complex. At near left, NSB resident Deb Denys, who is running for a seat on the County Council, listens to the proceedings.
The final topic was New Smyrna Beach's municipal sports complex, including its modern football stadium, which is used not only by New Smyrna Beach, but Spruce Creek and Atlantic as well.
Liz Yancey, New Smyrna Beach's director of Parks and Recreation, talked about the benefits of her city's mega sports complex that includes the football stadium, baseball field, soccer and softball fields and youth baseball fields, all under the lights with bathrooms and concession stands, as a great opportunity for other cities to take advantage of.
Of course, there's caveat: New Smyrna Beach taxpayers paid $7.41 million to build it nearly a decade ago, and annual maintenance is $614,000-plus.
New Smyrna Beach City Manager Pam Brangaccio, echoing Yancey's pitch, encouraged the sister cities to help "pay the fright."