ECHO Advisory Committee Meeting – Thursday August 13, 2026

The County of Volusia's ECHO Advisory Committee convened on August 13, 2026, to determine the eligibility of various community projects for ECHO grant funding. The committee reviewed ten projects, including recreational, cultural, and environmental initiatives, with total project costs ranging from approximately $200,000 to $5 million. Each project was presented with its requested ECHO funding amount and matching funds, and the committee voted unanimously to approve all projects as eligible to proceed to the scoring phase. Notable projects included the City of Ormond Beach's $2 million softball field improvements, the City of Daytona Beach's boardwalk extension, and Conservation Florida's $5 million D Ranch Preserve and Nature Center. The committee also discussed concerns about project feasibility studies and site security for certain projects. Staff outlined next steps, including scoring procedures and upcoming community programs. No contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, as it focused on eligibility determinations for grant applications.