The Volusia Forever Advisory Committee made significant strides during their June 27, 2025 meeting, notably kicking off the election process for a new chair. With members John Gamble and David Sosa absent, the committee quickly established a quorum and moved through the agenda efficiently.

The meeting began with a call for public participation, but no attendees stepped forward to speak. Following this, the committee approved the minutes from their previous meeting on April 4, 2025, with no corrections or additions noted.

The highlight of the meeting was the nomination of Jessica Gao for the position of chair. Assistant County Attorney Sarah Jonas facilitated the election process, confirming that previous chair Wanda was unable to continue in her role. The nomination received a second, indicating strong support among committee members.

As the committee prepares for this leadership transition, the election of a new chair is expected to bring fresh perspectives and energy to the Volusia Forever initiative, which focuses on land conservation and environmental preservation in the region. The next steps will involve finalizing the election and outlining the goals for the upcoming term.