In tonight's meeting, Daytona Beach commissioners are expected to vote on whether to amend the city's current contract with its security guards, essentially giving them a raise.

If approved, it will increase the total contract amount for the two guards from $125,000 to $134,000. According to the agenda item, their hourly pay will increase from $16.50 an hour to $17.25, and they will also now receive holiday pay at $25.

City staff say there is also discussion about expanding the guards' presence to other parts of downtown, including Palmetto Avenue; no vote is scheduled for that. That is still in its very early stages.

Along Beach Street, business owners say things look very different today than they did just a year ago.

Colby Caldwell, owner of The Porch Kombucha, Tea and Acai Cafe, sa

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