Jennifer Bright for Ormond Beach Commissioner

06/16/2026

On June 9th I addressed the Community Redevelopment Agency about an opportunity to reduce next year’s pressure on the general fund.
Florida Statute 163.380 authorizes municipalities to sell, lease, or donate real property to a CRA for redevelopment, and requires such transactions to serve the public interest; because a CRA is an independent legal entity, purchases of city-owned property should reflect fair value and follow statutory procedures.
I proposed the CRA consider purchasing the property at 56 N. Beach St (inside the downtown CRA boundary), currently used as a parking lot since the city removed the former Historical Ormond Beach Union Church in 2021. Transferring this lot to the CRA could shift roughly $1.2 million into the general fund from the CRA and help reduce the tax burden on residents next fiscal year.
I asked the Commission and CRA board (they are one in the same) to review 56 N. Beach St for potential transfer to the CRA consistent with statutory requirements and fair-market valuation, and to provide legal citations about any county-approval requirement so the public can understand the constraints and options.

06/11/2026

So well said

06/10/2026

When the RFP for Employee Benefits Broker of Record Services first appeared on the Aug. 5, 2025 agenda, staff presented two comparable proposals:
• Option 1: $250,000 total (3-year term + two 1-year auto-renewals)
• Option 2: $495,510 total (same term)
After full discussion the item was tabled with only three members able to vote due to conflicts of interest.

On March 24, 2026 a workshop again covering two options with the same terms as above:
• Option 1 (now): $381,750 total
• Option 2: $495,510 total
Both offer comparable services, yet the Commission selected Option 2 (Foundation Risk Partners) at $495,510.

The June 9th agenda listed only Option 2, and it was approved.

Residents deserve better stewardship of city funds. I urged the commission to bring back the more affordable, comparable Option 1 so the city can save over $100,000 and restore fiscal responsibility to this process. — but this fell on deaf ears!

06/09/2026

The Makai Resort has been abandoned since Hurricane Milton — over a year of crime, fires, and transient activity on one of Ormond Beach's busiest corridors. Neighbors and business owners have been demanding answers for months.

It took a Channel 6 news crew to get the city moving.

I was interviewed as part of this story because this is exactly the kind of accountability gap I'm running to close. Watch the segment here 👇

https://www.clickorlando.com/video/news/2026/06/09/neighbors-demand-answers-as-abandoned-ormond-beach-resort-falls-into-disrepair/

The city now says the owners are "cooperating." Good. But residents shouldn't have to go to the media to get their government's attention. That's what a commissioner is for.

Zone 2 deserves someone at that table who asks these questions before a camera shows up.

If you're ready to back a campaign that puts residents first →votejenniferbright.com

06/09/2026

The Makai Resort has been abandoned since Hurricane Milton — over a year of crime, fires, and transient activity on one of Ormond Beach's busiest corridors. Neighbors and business owners have been demanding answers for months.

It took a Channel 6 news crew to get the city moving.

I was interviewed as part of this story because this is exactly the kind of accountability gap, I'm running to close. Watch the segment here 👇

https://www.clickorlando.com/video/news/2026/06/09/neighbors-demand-answers-as-abandoned-ormond-beach-resort-falls-into-disrepair/

The city now says the owners are "cooperating." Good. But residents shouldn't have to go to the media to get their government's attention. That's what a commissioner is for.

Zone 2 deserves someone at that table who asks these questions before a camera shows up.

If you're ready to back a campaign that puts residents first → votejenniferbright.com

Residents say shuttered Makai Resort has become a magnet for crime, fires and transients — but city says owners are now cooperating

10/29/2025

Tomoka Commerce Park Planned Business Development Neighborhood Meeting - Nov 12th
890 N US HWY 1, LLC shall conduct a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, November 12,2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn Daytona/Ormond Beach located at 155 Interchange Blvd, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174, to discuss a proposed site plan for the property at 890 North U.S. Highway 1. The Tomoka Commerce Park Planned Business Development seeks to subdivide 12.483 acre parcel into four (4) lots and common area and construct US 1 turn lanes, main access road, stormwater retention, public sanitary lift station, force main and water distribution for 116,204 square foot commercial/office and business warehouse buildings and associated parking at 890 North U.S. Highway 1, Ormond Beach, Florida. The project shall require a Planned Business Development amendment with review by the Planning Board and final action by the City Commission.

If this is important to you mark your calendars.

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