Daytona Beach relies on informed citizens for effective local government

Daytona Beach's local government structure, a Commission-Manager form, relies heavily on the active participation of its citizens to ensure effective policy-making and administration. The City Commission, comprised of a Mayor and six Commissioners, sets policy, while the City Manager oversees the execution of those decisions.

To foster this citizen involvement, the City of Daytona Beach utilizes a network of 25 boards, including 23 citizen participation boards with approximately 200 members. These boards, which often meet monthly, play a crucial role in advising the city on various matters. While some boards are established by the City Charter, others are created through ordinances and resolutions approved by the City Commission.

Serving on these boards offers residents a direct avenue to influence local public policy and contribute to the quality of life in Daytona Beach. Most board members are required to be residents or business owners within the city and must be registered voters. Additionally, many boards require members to submit a Form 1 - Financial Disclosure form annually to the Supervisor of Elections.

The City of Daytona Beach emphasizes that all board meetings are subject to Florida's Public Records Law and the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, ensuring transparency. The City provides a "City Commission Citizen Board Handbook" to increase citizen knowledge and awareness of local government operations. Residents interested in serving on a board are encouraged to fill out and return a Board Application Form.

The history of Daytona Beach dates back to its incorporation in 1876. Originally inhabited by the Timucuan Indians, the area saw permanent settlement begin in the mid-1800s following the purchase of land grants by northerners after the Seminole Indian War. The city was officially named Daytona in honor of its founder, Mr. Mathias Day. In 1926, the settlements of Daytona, Seabreeze, and Daytona Beach officially merged to form the single city of Daytona Beach.

The City of Daytona Beach is located at 301 South Ridgewood Avenue, with a mailing address of Post Office Box 2451, Daytona Beach, Florida 32115-2451. The main telephone number is (386) 671-8000. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a population of 72,647 in 2020.