The city of Daytona Beach is under intense scrutiny after revelations that more than $6.5 million in city-issued credit card charges were made with questionable oversight. The scandal has ignited a firestorm of public concern, triggered a formal audit, and drawn the attention of state lawmakers who are now considering sweeping reforms to prevent future misuse of taxpayer funds.
💳 The Charges That Raised Red Flags
The controversy centers on the city’s “P-Card” system, which allows employees and contractors to make purchases on behalf of the city. Commissioner Stacy Cantu, alarmed by inconsistencies in financial records, initiated a deep dive into the transactions. What she found was startling:
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Travel and entertainment: Charges included $3,510 at SeaWorld, $1,800 at a Hyatt Regency, and $1,170 at a Hilton in Fort Lauderdale—expenses that lacked clear municipal justification.
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Retail and food purchases: $821 at Walmart, $77 at Domino’s Pizza, and $40 at Krispy Kreme were among the items flagged as potentially personal or excessive.
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Luxury items: A $2,099 Amazon purchase and $300 Oakley sunglasses raised questions about necessity and accountability.
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Contractor perks: Payments included training costs and a $144/month cell phone bill for a non-city employee.
Many of these charges were made without proper documentation or approval, and some appeared to benefit individuals rather than the public. The city’s internal auditor is now conducting a full review of the P-Card system, and public records requests continue to uncover more details.
🏛️ Legislative Response: Reforming the Rules
The scandal has prompted swift reaction from state leaders, including Senator Tom Leek, who is pushing for greater transparency and accountability. Proposed reforms include:
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Mandatory multi-tiered approvals: Purchases over a set threshold would require sign-off from multiple city officials.
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Public transaction logs: All P-Card activity would be posted online in real time, allowing residents and watchdogs to monitor spending.
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Restricted card access: Only designated employees with clear purchasing roles would be allowed to hold city cards.
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Third-party audits: Regular independent reviews would ensure compliance and detect irregularities early.
These reforms could be introduced at the state level, setting a precedent for municipalities across Florida.
🧭 Accountability and Public Reaction
The fallout has been swift. Residents and civic groups have expressed outrage, demanding answers and accountability. Commissioner Cantu has called for disciplinary action and a full accounting of the charges, stating, “You can’t make this stuff up.”
City Manager Deric Feacher’s refusal to comment publicly has only intensified calls for leadership transparency. His silence, including walking away from reporters, has become symbolic of the broader lack of oversight that allowed the spending to spiral unchecked.
🔍 What’s Next: A Blueprint for Reform
As the audit progresses, Daytona Beach may become a case study in municipal reform. Lawmakers could use this moment to introduce statewide standards for city credit card use, including:
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Uniform spending categories
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Required documentation for all purchases
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Real-time reporting dashboards
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Penalties for misuse or noncompliance
Such measures would not only restore public trust in Daytona Beach but also safeguard taxpayer dollars across Florida.
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