Altamonte Springs: City Commission - Dec 03 2025
Summary. The Daytona Beach City Commission met on December 3, 2025, to review presentations and conduct city business. The meeting opened with a roll call confirming attendance of all seven commissioners and Mayor Derek L. Henry. Early agenda modifications included moving the city auditor's travel audit presentation to follow the Foundation to Freedom presentation, despite disagreement about whether it should be categorized as an administrative item requiring public comment. The primary focus of the meeting was two presentations. First, Catherine Russell of Foundation to Freedom presented their substance abuse recovery program, which operates 11 FAR-certified recovery residences serving 111 clients with an 89% success rate. The organization provides comprehensive wrap-around services including housing, case management, transportation, and family reunification services, with 48 families successfully reunified. The second presentation was by City Auditor Abila Podacio regarding findings from the travel audit, which revealed outdated policies, excessive meal costs, premium car rentals, improper documentation, and budget variances. The auditor also requested commission approval to investigate allegations involving misuse of city funds related to an inappropriate relationship between a supervisor and subordinate, though this matter was recommended to be handled through HR first. The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between the auditor and city management regarding audit findings and responses. Several commissioners expressed concerns about travel expenditures and the need for updated policies, while also discussing the proper procedures for handling personnel investigations involving potential financial improprieties.
Agenda Items
4. Approval of Minutes - 11/05/2025 City Commission Meeting
Motion to approve previous meeting minutes
- Standard approval of previous meeting minutes
- No questions or comments raised
5. Agenda Approval and Modifications
Discussion and approval of agenda changes including presentation order and consent item removal
- Foundation to Freedom presentation added to agenda
- City auditor requesting commission approval to initiate investigation
- Debate over moving auditor presentation from comments to administrative items versus presentations
- Commissioner Perez wanted item under administrative for public comment, Commissioner Cantu preferred presentations
- Item 8A removed from consent agenda for discussion
6. Foundation to Freedom Presentation
Presentation by executive director on substance abuse recovery programs and services
- Organization operates 11 FAR-certified recovery residences (10 in Volusia County, 1 in Palm Coast)
- Serves 111 clients with 89% graduate success rate
- Three-phase program lasting 6-9 months with wrap-around services
- 24/7 staffing, drug testing every 5 days maximum
- Successfully reunified 48 families with children
- Operating budget of $2.3 million (72% grant funded)
- Looking to expand to East Side of county
- Works closely with drug court program
Not specified. Travel Audit Review Presentation
City Auditor presentation of travel audit findings and recommendations
- Outdated travel policy lacking specific meal allowance limits
- Lack of centralized document filing system
- Budget variances approaching 100% from estimates
- Excessive meal costs ($135 single dinner, $40.66 daily valet parking)
- Premium car rentals when economy options available
- Improper mileage calculations and lack of itemized receipts
- Unnecessary travel when virtual options available
- Business class travel without proper justification
- Need for better authorization and documentation processes
Not specified. Investigation Request - Alleged Misconduct
City Auditor requested commission approval to investigate allegations of supervisor-subordinate relationship and misuse of city funds
- Anonymous tip received about alleged intimate relationship between supervisor and subordinate
- Allegations include misuse of city purchase card for personal items
- Allegations of lavish travel expenses related to continuing relationship
- City Attorney recommended handling personnel matters through HR first
- Discussion of employee rights and union representation
- Recommendation to separate personnel issues from financial investigation
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve minutes of 11/05/2025 city commission meeting
Moved by Commissioner Cantu, seconded by Commissioner May
Passed 6-0
Motion to move city auditor presentation to administrative items for public comment
Moved by Commissioner Perez
Failed for lack of second
Motion to move city auditor presentation to presentations after Foundation to Freedom
Moved by Commissioner Cantu
Passed 5-2
Motion to accept agenda changes
Passed 7-0
Action Items
Update outdated travel policy with specific meal allowance limits and guidelines
Assigned to City Manager and appropriate staff
Implement centralized filing mechanism for financial documents
Assigned to City staff
Review car allowance policy (dated 1991) and evaluate which employees actually need car allowances
Assigned to City Manager
Provide response to travel audit findings
Assigned to City Manager · Due Thursday (following meeting)
Handle personnel investigation allegations through HR process first
Assigned to Human Resources Department
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Daytona Beach City Commission met on December 3, 2025, to review presentations and conduct city business. The meeting opened with a roll call confirming attendance of all seven commissioners and Mayor Derek L. Henry. Early agenda modifications included moving the city auditor's travel audit presentation to follow the Foundation to Freedom presentation, despite disagreement about whether it should be categorized as an administrative item requiring public comment. The primary focus of the meeting was two presentations. First, Catherine Russell of Foundation to Freedom presented their substance abuse recovery program, which operates 11 FAR-certified recovery residences serving 111 clients with an 89% success rate. The organization provides comprehensive wrap-around services including housing, case management, transportation, and family reunification services, with 48 families successfully reunified. The second presentation was by City Auditor Abila Podacio regarding findings from the travel audit, which revealed outdated policies, excessive meal costs, premium car rentals, improper documentation, and budget variances. The auditor also requested commission approval to investigate allegations involving misuse of city funds related to an inappropriate relationship between a supervisor and subordinate, though this matter was recommended to be handled through HR first. The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between the auditor and city management regarding audit findings and responses. Several commissioners expressed concerns about travel expenditures and the need for updated policies, while also discussing the proper procedures for handling personnel investigations involving potential financial improprieties.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 5 agenda items: Approval of Minutes - 11/05/2025 City Commission Meeting; Agenda Approval and Modifications; Foundation to Freedom Presentation; Travel Audit Review Presentation; Investigation Request - Alleged Misconduct.
How many motions were voted on?
4 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
5 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
11 members were recorded as present: Commissioner May, Commissioner Cantu, Commissioner Henry, Commissioner Reed, Commissioner Perez, Commissioner Strickland, Mayor Derek L. Henry, City Manager, City Auditor Abila Podacio, City Attorney, Catherine Russell (Foundation to Freedom).
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Altamonte Springs in?
Altamonte Springs is located in Seminole County, Florida. Browse other Seminole County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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