Growing Scrutiny Over City Credit Cards

Concerns are mounting at Daytona Beach City Hall over questionable spending practices, with city-issued credit cards at the center of scrutiny. Commissioners, auditors, and even state legislators have raised alarms about how taxpayer money is being used, prompting investigations and calls for reform.

Growing Scrutiny Over City Credit Cards

In recent weeks, Daytona Beach officials have faced tough questions about the use of city-issued purchasing cards, known as “P-cards.” These cards are intended for legitimate city business, but records show they have been used for hotels, meals, shopping, and even personal travel expenses by contractors and non-city employees.

Commissioner Stacy Cantu publicly questioned why individuals who were not city employees had access to city credit cards. She highlighted charges such as a $1,200 motel bill in Fort Lauderdale, expensive meals, and even cell phone bills being paid with taxpayer funds.

Internal Warnings Ignored

Investigations revealed that concerns about spending were raised months earlier. A former city employee warned the city manager in July about questionable charges, including thousands of dollars spent on hotels, flights, restaurants, and retail stores. Those warnings were largely ignored until media outlets and commissioners began pressing for answers.

State-Level Intervention

The controversy has now reached Tallahassee. State legislators recently scolded Daytona Beach officials for failing to properly manage millions in permit and licensing fees. Lawmakers criticized the city for sitting on $11 million in unspent funds, while residents and developers waited for promised improvements.

Mayor Derrick Henry and other city leaders were forced to defend their practices before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, where they promised reforms. However, commissioners back home expressed frustration at the city’s lack of urgency and transparency.

Public Trust at Risk

The revelations have shaken public confidence in City Hall. Residents are questioning whether their tax dollars are being spent responsibly, and whether leadership is prioritizing community needs over insider perks.

To address the crisis, Daytona Beach has launched a public website to track credit card spending and commissioned an internal audit of P-card transactions. Officials say stricter oversight and updated policies are on the way, but critics argue these steps should have been taken years ago.

What Comes Next

The investigations are ongoing, and pressure is mounting for accountability. Commissioners are demanding clearer rules, tighter controls, and consequences for misuse. State leaders have warned that failure to act could result in further intervention.

For now, Daytona Beach residents are left with a troubling question: Has City Hall been serving the people—or itself?