Port Orange officials used the public portion of Tuesday’s meeting to recognize several community groups and to honor a retiring police K-9.

Amanda Marino, chief of police, introduced retired K-9 Buddy and the handler to the dais and said Buddy and Officer Kristin McBride had served together for six and a half years. Officer McBride told the commission she was “really happy that I get to retire him on his own terms.” Chief Marino and commissioners praised the bond between handler and dog and noted Buddy’s community work with schools and events. The commission approved a consent-agenda item to transfer ownership of Buddy to Officer McBride following retirement.

The commission next welcomed members of the Volusia Young Marines. David Owen, executive officer for the Volusia Young Marines, described the program’s drug-demand-reduction and leadership work for children ages 8–18 and introduced several members. Mayor Scott Stiltner read a proclamation designating October 2025 as Red Ribbon Week in Port Orange and encouraged community participation in drug-prevention activities.

Jessica Lovett, president and CEO of the Volusia Manufacturers Association, and other manufacturing representatives were then recognized for Manufacturing Month. A proclamation described Verusia (sic) County manufacturing’s role in supporting jobs and the local economy; staff cited countywide employment and payroll figures in the proclamation language and noted VMA outreach and events for October.

Parks and Recreation board vice chair Mike Navarro provided a routine update on projects, including City Center planning, Willow Run Park planning and phased field drainage improvements. Parks and Rec staff continue planning several bond-funded capital projects.

No formal votes were required for the ceremonial recognitions beyond consent-agenda approval for the K-9 ownership transfer.