Daytona Beach, FL — The City of Daytona Beach is set to receive more than $54 million in forgivable state loans to harden and modernize its water and wastewater systems, a move hailed as a critical step toward protecting essential services before, during, and after major storms.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced allocations of:
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$19.17 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
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$35.14 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Together, the funding totals $54.3 million, made possible through the Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hawai'i Wildfires (SAHM), a federal program created in response to recent catastrophic natural disasters. The SAHM program offers 100% principal forgiveness to communities that meet “financially disadvantaged” criteria, which Daytona Beach qualifies for based on census data.
City officials credited the Utilities Department staff for their persistence in securing the funding, noting that the department continues to pursue opportunities to improve infrastructure and quality of life for residents.
Backlash From Dr. Kerry B. Lewis
While the announcement was celebrated by city leaders, Dr. Kerry B. Lewis, a nationally recognized public servant and declared candidate for Daytona Beach’s 2028 mayoral race, offered sharp criticism of the current administration.
Lewis argued that the funding, though welcome, underscores a decade of missed opportunities under the city’s leadership.
“This is not the result of visionary leadership in Daytona Beach,” Lewis said. “This is the result of federal and state programs stepping in after years of neglect. Our city had to be labeled ‘financially disadvantaged’ before action was taken. That is not leadership. That is failure.”
Lewis pointed out that the current mayor has been in office since 2012, presiding over years in which Daytona Beach’s water and sewer systems remained vulnerable and outdated.
“For over a decade, our infrastructure has been left exposed to storms and flooding. Only now—because of disaster-driven federal appropriations—are we finally seeing the investment our community deserves. Daytona Beach residents should not have to wait for bailouts after tragedies elsewhere to get the basics of safe water and resilient sewer systems.”
A Call for Proactive Leadership
Lewis pledged that, if elected, his administration would aggressively pursue funding opportunities before crises force action.
“My pledge is simple: we will not wait for Washington or Tallahassee to label us disadvantaged before we act. We will build a resilient Daytona Beach that stands strong before, during, and after storms. This $55 million is a start—but it should have been secured years ago. The time for complacency is over. The time for accountable leadership is now.”
The Road Ahead
The funding will allow Daytona Beach to modernize its water and wastewater systems, strengthening the city’s ability to withstand hurricanes and other natural disasters. But Lewis’s backlash highlights a growing debate in the community: whether the city’s leadership has been proactive enough in addressing long-term infrastructure needs.
As Daytona Beach prepares to put the funds to use, the political conversation is already shifting toward the 2028 mayoral race, where Lewis is positioning himself as the candidate of transparency, fiscal discipline, and revitalization.
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