DELTONA, Fla. – The mayor of Deltona, Santiago Avila Jr., is under scrutiny after allegedly visiting Washington D.C. during the presidential inauguration last month using city funds.
Commissioners have accused Avila of violating the city’s travel policy, prompting a vote of no confidence scheduled for Feb. 17.
The issue was raised by a Deltona commissioner during a recent meeting. Commissioner Dori Howington said that the mayor’s trip to Washington, D.C., cost the city several thousand dollars. Expenses included hotel accommodations and gas for a city vehicle. Avila’s wife allegedly accompanied him on the trip.
In response, Avila released a statement to News 6 defending his actions. He claims the accusations are false, stating that his primary reason for being in D.C. was to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors from Jan. 17-19. Avila also mentioned meeting with Sen. Rick Scott during the inauguration period to discuss crucial funding. He emphasized that the hotel expenses were for the conference dates, not the inauguration.
You can read the mayor’s full statement below:
Statement by Jacob Langston on Scribd
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
News 6 also obtained the city’s current travel policy, which requires out-of-state travel to conferences or seminars at the city’s expense to be approved by the commission.
Avila was absent from the Monday night meeting where the issue was discussed. He said he was in Tallahassee for meetings with other officials.
Meanwhile, former vice mayor and commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk has filed paperwork to run for mayor.
“It’s an event that a lot of people would love to go to, but it should not be on the people that work for a living to pay the bill for any of our elected officials. I don’t care if it’s commissioners or not. We should not be paying for them to go on vacation,” he said.
Until the Feb. 17 vote and meeting, Avila is suspended from using city funds and vehicles due to the alleged violation.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:
