DELTONA, Fla. – The mayor of Deltona will not face any consequences after violating the city’s travel policy.
A vote of no confidence on Monday ended with several commissioners agreeing he violated the policy, but the motion failed by one vote.
Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. was accused of traveling to Washington D.C. during the presidential inauguration without approval and on the city’s dime.
[RELATED: ‘Don’t have time for these games:' Deltona mayor defends trip to DC on city’s dime]
Commissioner Dori Howington said 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 claimed the accusations were 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.
[READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE]
News 6 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 suspended from using city funds and vehicles before the vote.
Commissioners said they could be making changes to the policy in the near future.
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