DeLand, FL - In the end, the Volusia County Council made the unanimous decision to keep the beach concession contract local, during Thursday's regular meeting, Council heard from Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County and Boucher Brothers Management, Inc. out of Miami Beach.
Each vendor was given ten minutes to make a presentation, with the local company going first. The Boucher Brothers representative summarized that they were offering to put in more than $7,000,000 over a seven-year period if they were chosen. "That will be your services, equipment, training, and professionalism. Social media campaign to encourage tourism. Co-branding opportunities. Environmentally-sound commitments. Partnering and providing resources to new and current subcontractors to provide 5-star beach service."
District 2 representative Billie Wheeler was concerned for the locals. "One of my major concerns that I have is the employees, of the locals. You know, we've got 60 some vendors here, their livelihood is off of this."
A local man who worked for Volusia County Beach Safety, Jack Driscoll, spoke during public comments on the issue in favor of the locals. "What I've seen is the commitment and perseverance of these individual families and businesses to get through everything we throw at them. I didn't see mentioned in the proposal by the Boucher Brothers about the commitment to safety. I didn't see them mention a commitment to our environment and the concerns and rules and regulations surrounding turtles. It's a big deal."
The next step is to negotiate a contract with Beach Rentals & Refreshments of Volusia County.
