By Robert Burns

EDGEWATER – The Edgewater City Council is making a concerted effort to stimulate job creation by limiting the amount of fees levied on new businesses. The council is also joining the entire Southeast Volusia community in a salute to one of this region’s most dynamic couples. 
Several times during the course of the meeting Monday, March 14, the city council cut impact fees. Dr. Kim Castro of the Animal Clinic of Edgewater stood before the council and stated her appeal. She has proposed a major expansion of the 2305 S. Ridgewood clinic, an expansion which would carry with it close to $20,000 in impact fees.
Earlier, Animal Clinic attorney, Kenneth Bohannon appealed to the council’s desire for job creation. “We are now proposing an expansion not only of the facility, but adding an additional four to five staffing positions and adding an additional veteranarian.”
After deliberating the pros and cons of the waived fees, the council unanimously elected to lift 75% of all impact fees, giving the project a break of nearly $15,000.
Another proposed expansion of a storage facility on the city’s southern town line got the green light to become incorporated into the city of Edgewater, and the council granted that project a waiver of $10,000 in impact fees.
Councilwoman Harriet Rhodes said, “I think we should do everything we can to encourage job growth.”
Both businesses petitioning the city said they were energized by the council’s decision.
The beginning of the meeting kicked off with the presentation of a city proclamation declaring Thursday, March 25, Dana and Mike Thompson Day in the city of Edgewater.
The Thompsons have been extremely devoted to Southeast Volusia County for many years, she being a teacher and librarian at the New Smyrna Beach Middle School and he being the former Mayor of Oak Hill.
As a result, they will be honored during New Smyrna's 9th Annual Very Important Person (VIP) Dinner. This dinner will take place on the evening of Mar. 25, at Tiano’s Restaurant at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Golf Course. Please join the three cities, as well as the YMCA and The Observer as our community gives thanks for two of its most tireless crusaders and leaders.