Three city officials across West Volusia have tendered their resignations since Friday, Dec. 29, with two citing a new financial-disclosure law. 

Orange City Vice Mayor and City Council Member Bill O’Connor was the first Dec. 29. Declaring his refusal to comply with the new requirements, he officially resigned from the Orange City Council.

Why resign? O’Connor expressed frustration over the new requirements that elected officials and candidates provide detailed listings of their property, investments, income and assets worth $1,000 or more, along with any liabilities. The new rule became effective Jan. 1.

In a letter to the Orange City Council, O’Connor wrote he is leaving political life “with a heavy heart and a bit of disgust in our Tallahassee legislators.”

“I think it’s an invasion of privacy,” he also said, referring to the new disclosure document, also known as Form 6.

O’Connor was also campaigning to be the next mayor of Orange City and has bowed out of that race as well.

Following O’Connor’s resignation, fellow Orange City Council Member Casandra Jones and Deltona City Commissioner Anita Bradford also resigned.

Jones could not be reached for comment, but Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis said she mentioned Form 6. The Orange City Clerk’s Office said Jones had informed the staff she plans to return her city-issued cellphone and iPad later today, Jan. 2.

The deadline to file Form 6 is July 1.

Bradford, however, was not at all concerned about the new financial-disclosure rule. She said she resigned due to ongoing medical challenges.

Since October, Bradford said, she has been experiencing stroke-like symptoms and is undergoing treatment to identify the underlying problems. Since then, Bradford had appeared at a Deltona City Commission meeting by Zoom, but with so many pressing issues facing the city, she said, Bradford made the decision to resign.

“I did not resign to avoid filling out a financial disclosure,” she said. “I resigned to focus on my health, my family and my business.”

Stress, Bradford explained, exacerbates her symptoms.

“I didn’t physically think I would be able to provide what the city needs,” she said.

With the Deltona City Commission down a member, Bradford is hopeful that a member of the city’s District 2 will fill her role and give Deltona the attention it needs. Per the city’s charter, the City Commission has 30 days to fill her vacant seat.