Daytona Beach Government to Undergo State Audit

The city government of Daytona Beach is set to undergo a financial audit from the Florida state government. The Florida legislature's Joint Legislative Auditing Committee voted to approve the action, at the urging of state Senator Tom Wright. "Over the past several years, multiple issues have surfaced regarding the City's handling of public funds," Wright wrote in a November letter to Committee Chair Chase Tramont. "These include excess accumulation of building permit funds and the potential misuse and mismanagement of Purchasing Cards (P-cards)." The first whisperings of a state audit came last month, when the Daytona Beach government was warned that their permitting and licensing fee expenditures may warrant such an action. Wright has remained critical of the city's financials ever since, and some of his colleagues took issue with one city commissioner's response to the warning. Ken Strickland, who represents Zone 2 on the Daytona Beach City Commission, commented during a November meeting that "Tallahassee needs to mind their own business." Florida House Republican Chase Tramont and Florida Senate Republican Jason Brodeur, both of whom partially represent Volusia County, all but indicated that Strickland's opposition solidified their efforts to scrutinize the city. Tramont himself represents much of southern Volusia County in his Florida House district. The northern border falls at the border between Port Orange and South Daytona. Wright represents a larger area that heavily overlaps with Tramont's district. Daytona Beach residents are among Wright's constituents. Once the audit begins, it's expected to take around a year to complete. Florida Auditor General Derek Noonan will lead the initiative, releasing a report on the findings once he's done. Afterward a followup audit will be conducted within a year and a half, aiming to demonstrate what the city is doing to improve upon any potential wrongdoings. "As Mayor, I welcome the operational audit approved by Florida's Auditor General," said Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry in a social media post on Tuesday. "We are confident in our financial management and view this as an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and accountability. We will provide full cooperation and access to resources, ensuring a comprehensive review. This process allows us to address any misconceptions, rebuild trust with our residents and business partners, and continue driving Daytona Beach forward. We are committed to addressing any findings and maintaining the city's positive trajectory."