Daytona Beach, Fla. – City Auditor Abinet Belachew handed in his resignation letter to Mayor Derrick Henry on Tuesday, with the departure set to take effect on October 15. The move comes less than three weeks after the mayor disclosed that the Florida Auditor General is conducting a state review of the city’s finances.
Background of the audit
The state‑level review was prompted by questions surrounding the fire department’s use of take‑home vehicles and possible misuse of municipal credit cards. Lawmakers in Tallahassee, through the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, voted in December to authorize the review, unanimously supporting State Sen. Tom Wright’s request. Wright warned that “multiple issues” had emerged in recent years regarding the city’s handling of taxpayer dollars.
Auditor’s tenure and accomplishments
Belachew was appointed as Daytona Beach’s auditor in September 2025. In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the “beautiful City of Daytona Beach and its residents.” He highlighted the establishment of a professional audit framework, the implementation of a risk‑based audit plan, and the execution of audits and reviews of significant city operations and expenditures. Belachew also noted efforts to strengthen internal controls, accountability, transparency, and stewardship of public resources.
Mayor’s response
Mayor Henry said he was “deeply disappointed” that the state would see the audit report before the city, but added that he was “genuinely excited” to finally have the report in hand. He pledged to make the findings widely available, promising hard‑copy copies and in‑person presentations at community meetings and neighborhood groups across Daytona Beach. Henry expects to receive the completed audit by the end of August or early September.
Implications for the city
The resignation underscores the challenges of building an independent internal audit function in a relatively new office. While the city’s finance team has made progress, the state review signals a continued focus on ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly. Residents can anticipate greater transparency once the audit report is released and discussed at upcoming public forums.
Next steps
The city will begin the search for a new auditor to fill the vacancy. In the meantime, the ongoing state review will continue to evaluate the city’s financial practices, with the goal of addressing any identified deficiencies and reinforcing fiscal stewardship for Daytona Beach taxpayers.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
