Volusia Forever and Echo Referendum
Posted On: May 19, 2020
- View Volusia ECHO Ballot Resolution
- View Volusia Forever Ballot Resolution
(Approved by County Council on June 2, 2020)
On November 3, 2020, Volusia County voters re-authorized the Volusia ECHO and Volusia Forever programs for another 20 years. The vote totals were as follows: Volusia ECHO
Yes: 203,560 (72.4%)
No: 77,652 (27.6%) Volusia Forever
Yes: 213,447 (75.6%)
No: 69,077 (24.4%)
News Releases
Feb. 20, 2020: Placing ECHO/Volusia Forever on fall ballot under consideration
March 3, 2020: County Council awards $3.08 million in ECHO grants
March 4, 2020: Council continues discussion on ECHO and Volusia Forever ballot questions
May 19, 2020: ECHO and Volusia Forever audits find programs to be efficient and effective
June 2, 2020: Voters to decide whether to renew ECHO-Volusia Forever programs
ECHO
Volusia ECHO provides grant funds to finance acquisition, restoration, construction or improvement of facilities to be used for environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreational purposes. Pursuant to its adopting resolution, it is the intent of the County Council that the funds be allocated throughout the County to provide broad geographical distribution and apportioned appropriately among the environmental, cultural, historic and outdoor recreation projects. The Volusia ECHO Program seeks to enhance the quality of life of Volusia County's residents. The goals of the program are to: preserve significant archaeological or historic resources; develop, enhance and promote heritage tourism opportunities, experiences and resources; foster public memory and community identity by promoting and providing access to destinations and experiences associated with past events, peoples and places within Volusia County; provide high quality, user-oriented outdoor recreational opportunities including, but not limited to, access to the Atlantic Ocean through the establishment of oceanfront parks and off-beach parking; and providing access to the cultural arts, increasing cultural-based tourism and encourage redevelopment and revitalization of downtown and urban areas through the provision of cultural arts facilities.
Volusia Forever
Volusia Forever finances the acquisition and improvement of environmentally sensitive, water resource protection, and outdoor recreation lands, and the management of these lands as conservation stewards in perpetuity. The goals of the program are to: conserve, maintain and restore the natural environment and provide access for the enjoyment and education of the public; provide resources to ensure that sufficient quantities of water are available to meet current and future needs; meet the need for high-quality resource based outdoor opportunities, greenways, trails, and open space; preserve the habitat and water recharge; and ensure that the natural resource values of such lands are protected and that the public has the opportunity to enjoy the lands to their fullest potential.
Map of Volusia Forever land acquisitions