The Palm Coast City Council tabled a contract for the newly formed Orange State League to use the Indian Trails Sports Complex this summer as concerns emerged about field availability and potential conflicts with the Palm Coast Little League regarding concession rights and maintenance responsibilities. The administration will clarify legal language and ensure local youth organizations support the new collegiate-level Big Buoys baseball team.
Economy
Palm Coast Council ‘Retreat’ Vows Six Months of Action to Defy Lame-Duck Label
With three of its members down to their last six months on the board, the Palm Coast City Council met Monday to establish goals before the November elections and run through a few exercises setting out values and a so-called SWOT analysis–strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The half-day session was held at the Southern Recreation Center.
Flagler County Administrator Job Posting Draws 30 Applicants in 1st Week; Shortlist Due by Mid-July
Flagler County’s search for a new administrator drew 30 applications in its first week. A three-member committee of Florida managers will rank qualified candidates and tun over a shortlist to the commission by mid-July.
Gas Prices Spike 40 Cents in a Week in Florida, to $4.34/Gallon Average
Gas prices in Florida spiked an average of 40 cents over the past week, the second-largest one-week jump since the start of the conflict in Iran. In Flagler County on Monday, gas was selling for $4.37 a gallon at many stations along State Road 100 and $4.39 along Palm Coast Parkway.
Chamber President Phillips Joins Broadcast as WNZF Announces FPC and Matanzas Football Broadcast Schedule
Flagler Broadcasting Sports Director Mike Lischio released the 2026 high school football broadcast schedule this week, marking the 18th season of local coverage on WNZF Radio. The slate includes 10 games over 12 weeks, anchored by district rivalries and the 18th annual Potato Bowl.
Palm Coast Planning Board Receptive to Ending Longtime Ban On Electronic Business Signs
The Palm Coast Planning Board boosted a plan to lift a 27-year ban on electronic business signs in the city. The proposed ordinance allows digital displays on major commercial corridors under strict city regulations. Concerns remain regarding enforcement on mobile vehicle signs and residential proximity.
From Anemia To Cancer Recovery, Phillip McKinney Found Healing Through Specialized Community Care Resources
Phillip McKinney used AdventHealth’s Community Care, which supports patients facing financial and social barriers in Flagler County, to navigate severe gastrointestinal bleeding and aggressive skin cancer. Social worker Briget Parkins coordinated his appointments, paperwork, and transportation through a nonprofit initiative that addresses nonmedical factors to prevent complications. McKinney eventually graduated from the program and now manages his health and housing independently.
Taxpayer Cost of Private School Vouchers in Flagler County Surges to $19 Million as District Enrollment Falls
Flagler County public schools lost $400,000 in funding and 100 students between fall and January financial and enrollment calculations as private school subsidies of vouchers surged 20 percent since last year. State voucher spending reached $19.2 million dollars this year. District enrollment remains stagnant despite significant population growth, and budget transparency issues persist because state calculations combine voucher funds with district allocations.
Missing Records and Financial Desperation Undermine Marineland’s Hope to Reopen Marina Contract
The Marineland Town Commission seeks to renegotiate its contract with Mobius Marine, manager of the town’s 20-slip marina, to increase stagnant revenue. Marina earnings grew 179 percent since 2014. The town receives only $18,000 annually, without inflation adjustments. Attorneys warn that missing records undermine the town’s legal standing. Procedural failures regarding the 2023 contract extension further complicate efforts to extract higher payments from the marina.
Flagler Beach’s 6th Street Deli Among 1st Tenants as Promenade in Palm Coast’s Town Center Recruits
The $79 million mixed-use Promenade project in Palm Coast’s Town Center secured among its initial commercial tenants Flagler Beach’s 6th Street Deli and Fleet Feet as recruiting for the complex continues before late summer openings. Palm Coast is offering significant economic incentives to attract businesses there, though an attempt to attract a craft brewery fell flat. The Promenade includes 204 apartments and 68,000 square feet of retail space.
Their Answer to Florida’s Housing Crisis: Smaller Lot Sizes and Granny Flats
Although there’s no “silver bullet” to cure Florida’s affordable housing crisis, an argument is gaining ground that smaller lot sizes can be a significant part of the solution, as might be allowances for accessory dwelling units, sometimes called granny flats or in-law units, or ADUs.
David Jolly and Jerry Demings Are Competitive with Byron Donalds, Stetson Poll Shows
The Stetson University’s Center for Public Opinion Research survey is the latest to show a potentially competitive General Election between Byron Donalds, David Jolly and Jerry Demings in a state national Democrats wrote off until recently.
Don’t Let Palm Coast’s Westward Invasion Sprawl Over Old Brick Road
Walden Pond serves as a grim cautionary tale for Flagler County preservationists as the colossal western expansion of Palm Coast threatens Old Brick Road. County commissioners are right to demand wide buffers and forbid at-grade crossings. Saving what remains of the historic Dixie Highway requires resisting developer logic that prioritizes proximity over true natural preservation.
Final Legal Challenge to Flagler Beach’s Annexations Of Veranda Bay And Summertown Ends
Resident Stephen Noble dropped his lawsuit against Flagler Beach over the annexation of Veranda Bay, making the 756-acre annexations of Veranda Bay and Summertown uncontested. The developer agreed to pay legal fees and transfer property to Noble as part of the settlement.
Supreme Court Denies Coastal Church’s Emergency Request to Resume Services in Flagler Beach Shopping Center
The Florida Supreme Court denied Flagler Beach’s Coastal Family Church’s request to hold in-person services during ongoing litigation, leaving in place a lower court injunction based on restrictive shopping center covenants. The property owner argues that public assemblies at the Flagler Beach shopping center violate agreements. Pastor Roderick Palmer faces separate legal woes from a credit card debt lawsuit and a foreclosure action involving a local property.
Developer Reveals Master Plan For 22,000-Home Western Expansion That’ll Remake Palm Coast
Raydient, the development arm of Rayonier, presented general plans for a 22,000-home development west of U.S. 1 that will nearly double the population of Palm Coast over 30 years. The proposal replaces previous agreements and shifts costs to taxpayers. Despite the scale of the project, its consequences on the city’s future and upcoming city annexation, the reveal at the Palm Coast Community Center lacked a presentation and offered very few specific details regarding infrastructure and funding.
City Repertory Theatre Revives Absurdist Classics With Multi Actor One-Act Plays for Season Finale
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre concludes the current season with a trio of absurdist one-act plays featuring playwrights David Ives and Israel Horovitz. The production includes “The Universal Language,” “Sure Thing,” and “Line.” Local actor Danno Waddell brings his expertise in the fictional language of Unamunda to the stage as performances explore human connection and competition. Shows run from April 24 through May 3.
DeSantis Signs Bill Banning Local Governments from Implementing Diversity and Fairness Policies
Soon Florida cities and counties will be banned from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and enacting net zero policies that cut down on greenhouse gases. SB 1134 prohibits municipalities from funding or passing a resolution in support of programs deemed diverse or inclusive. It also bars cities and counties from having a DEI office or an inclusion officer and gives the governor the power to remove local officials who violate the law.
Palm Coast Buys Right-Of-Way For Future Whiteview Parkway Extension Through New U-Haul Storage Facility
The Palm Coast City Council approved the first phase of a multi-phase U-Haul storage facility on U.S. 1 at Whiteview Parkway. The city also bought a right-of-way through the property for $280,000 in cash and $220,000 in impact fee credits. Appraised for $700,000, the land enables the future westward extension of Whiteview Parkway.
Council Approves Shift to 244 Houses at Sawmill Development as Concerns Over Ruined Historic Site Surface
Palm Coast City Council members approved a plan converting 320 planned townhomes into 244 single-family houses within the Sawmill Branch development on US1. Council member Dave Sullivan cast the lone dissenting vote over irreparable destruction of the Revolutionary-era Hewitt Sawmill historic site due to recent construction drainage. The developer promised to investigate these preservation claims before the final vote scheduled next month.
Palm Coast Council Approves Tax Rebates of Up to 95% To Jumpstart Stalled Town Center Commercial Development
The Palm Coast City Council approved a construction and tax-incentive program to spark commercial construction in Town Center, offering property tax rebates of up to 90 percent or more for significant investments. Town Center has fallen far short of investment and revenue expectations as the special tax district expires in 2034. Leaders excluded residential projects from the deal, prioritizing vertical density and commercial growth over single-family homes.
Spectrum Launches Virtual American Sign Language Interpretation Service At Palm Coast Store
Spectrum is bringing its virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation service to Palm Coast. The service connects deaf customers and Spectrum store specialists through a live ASL interpreter, enabling real-time communication in store. the virtual ASL interpretation service is now available at Island Walk, 250 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Suite 408.
Historic Old Brick Road Now a Battleground Between Flagler County Preservation and Palm Coast Expansion
Flagler County commissioners are stalling a proposed joint agreement with Palm Coast and Raydient, the developer of over 20,000 homes in the so-called “westward expansion” of Palm Coast, to ensure the preservation of historic Old Brick Road. They demand significant land buffers and flyover bridges instead of at-grade crossings. This firm stance aims to protect the World War I-era Dixie Highway remnant from development. The commission envisions the road as a vehicle-free linear park for nature-tourism.
DeSantis’s AI Bill of Rights Faces Steep Opposition From Republican Leaders as Special Session Nears
Gov. DeSantis seeks to pass his AI Bill of Rights during the Florida special session starting next week but faces significant resistance from House Speaker Danny Perez and federal Republican leaders who prefer almost nonexistent national standards. The proposed legislation restricts companion chatbots for minors and mandates parental consent in schools. High fines await non-compliant companies despite the growing national Republican trend toward deregulation of artificial intelligence.
AdventHealth Palm Coast Among Modern Healthcare’s 100 Top Hospitals
AdventHealth Fish Memorial and AdventHealth Palm Coast are among the nation’s 2026 Modern Healthcare’s 100 Top Hospitals, according to Premier, a national health care improvement organization.
Flagler County February Jobless Rate Drops To 5.8% and Labor Force Adds 500 Workers
Flagler County’s unemployment rate improved slightly to 5.8 percent in February, after a 6 percent showing in January. The local labor force grew by 500 workers. Local wages remain below state and national averages. Single-family home prices decreased from last year and cash buyers accounted for over 40 percent of recent home sales.
Calling Plan ‘Garbage,’ Theresa Pontieri Vows to Block Westward Development Unless Rayonier Pays More for Infrastructure
Palm Coast Council Member Theresa Pontieri rejected Rayonier’s Palm Coast westward expansion plan, labeling the document “absolute garbage” for adding 10,000 homes but eliminating previous developer commitments for roads and parks as taxpayers pick up the $126 million cost of a “Loop Road.” Pontieri demanded the landowner fund infrastructure improvements before a new development order is submitted to the council for approval.
Palm Coast Council Member Theresa Pontieri’s Statement on Westward Expansion Development Proposal
The full text of Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri’s statement opposing a proposed Master Planned Development order submitted by Rayonier, the Wildlight, Fla.-based company that owns the majority of the 20,000 acres slated for the western expansion.
DeSantis Claims There’ll Be a Special Session on Property Taxes. Just Don’t Ask Him When.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously indicated that he’s holding back on offering his own proposal to reduce taxes on homestead properties until the moment is “ripe” — and it doesn’t appear that’ll be anytime soon.
Florida Rule Would Require Proof Of U.S. Citizenship for Admission to State Colleges
The Florida Department of Education proposed a rule barring undocumented immigrants from the state’s 28 colleges and giving schools discretion to reject students based on past misconduct. The move follows various legislative attempts to limit non-resident enrollment and mirrors recent laws targeting students, dissenters and migrants.
School Board Cools On YMCA Pool Partnership While Considering Building Its Own, Despite Fiascoes
The Flagler County School Board is not enthusiastic about a potential partnership with Palm Coast for a shared YMCA pool, instead showing interest in the district building its own Olympic-size facility despite past management and financial failures at its own Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. This discussion coincided with an unsolicited $1.9 million offer from Ryan Companies for surplus district land that could provide revenue for a district stake at the YMCA.
Neighbors Mobilize Against Development of 39 Houses on Previously Protected Matanzas Golf Course Tract
Palm Coast L-section residents are largely opposed to a plans to develop 39 houses on the so-called Tract 3 of the former Matanzas golf course, a tract the Palm Coast City Council had protected from development in 2021, when it approved the broader, 268-home project. Residents argue the Land Development Code protects their views. The developer is not adding new homes, but shifting them from another tract, which would be give to the city for a public park.
Flagler Tourism Council Approves $357,000 Grant to Light Up 3 Fields at Indian Trails Sports Complex
The Flagler County Tourist Development Council approved a $357,000 grant for Palm Coast to install lights on three soccer fields at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. The funds became available after Flagler Beach abandoned its Beachwalk expansion project. The new lights will support regional tournaments and local leagues.
Palm Coast Council Surprised by Discovery of Unannounced CRA Funding for New YMCA Project
The Palm Coast City Council’s Theresa Pontieri was surprised Tuesday after learning the Town Center redevelopment zone is contributing $1.4 million toward the new YMCA. Initial presentations suggested funding came from park impact fees.
County Commissioner Andy Dance Replaces Flagler Beach’s Belhumeur on TPO Executive Board
Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance joined Palm Coast City Council member Ty Miller on the six-member Executive Committee of the Volusia-Flagler Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). Dance replaces former Flagler Beach City Commissioner Rick Belhumeur, who lost his seat in that city’s March election.
Palm Coast City Council Rejects Privatization Of Palm Harbor Golf Course as Near-Term Revenue Improves
The Palm Coast City Council rejected privatizing the Palm Harbor Golf Course following reports of a a surplus through management changes, higher fees and flexible passes. The city may consider returning the facility to an enterprise fund model. Despite current financial success, looming capital costs remain.
World Cup Security Will Cost Over $80 Million in Florida
The FDLE request involves $8.1 million in a Federal Emergency Management grant to be used for monitoring, tracking and detection through unmanned aircraft systems. Another $73.7 million Federal Emergency Management grant was awarded to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Most of the money, $63.6 million, will reimburse local law enforcement agencies for overtime expenses.
Reimagining Itself, Flagler Beach Approves New Transportation Fees To Start Funding $38 Million ‘Mobility’ Plan
Flagler Beach commissioners unanimously approved new mobility fees on new construction to fund a $38 million transportation plan. The initiative shifts the city away from car-centered infrastructure toward a multi-modal environment accommodating pedestrians and cyclists. The fee schedule targets residential and commercial developments.
Flagler County Unemployment Jumps to 6 Percent, Highest Rate in Five Years
Flagler County unemployment reached 6 percent in January, the highest rate since October 2020 as labor markets in St. Johns and Volusia counties also showed strains in January. Florida lost 20,000 jobs over the year.
Forecast Is for ‘Somewhat Below Normal’ Hurricane Season, But Flagler EM Chief Urges Caution
Colorado State University researchers today predicted a “somewhat below-normal” Atlantic hurricane season: 13 named storms, instead of 14 to 15 in an average year, six hurricanes instead of seven, and two reaching major storm strength instead of three. Flagler County Emergency Management Direcxtor Jonathan Lord cautioned against putting too. much stock on forecasts.
In Muddled Manifesto, Mayor Norris Wants to Sell ‘Bougie’ Southern Rec Center and Cut $10 Million in Spending
In an often sharply contradictory screed at the end of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris proposed cutting $10 million from property tax revenue and suggested selling the Southern Recreation Center, labeling it a “bougie” drain on city resources. He was drawing his conclusions by relying on a dubious government spending formula from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia even as he declared himself “happy” with last year’s budget and with the city’s fiscally conservative record.
GOP Rep. Ryan Chamberlin Launches Citizen Initiative To Eliminate Florida Property Taxes By 2028
Florida Republicans have struggled to pass property tax relief despite promises of a constitutional amendment for the November ballot. GOP Representative Ryan Chamberlin is now spearheading a 2028 citizen-led initiative to eliminate property taxes entirely as local officials express concern over lost revenue for essential services. Other states like Georgia and Ohio are similarly debating radical tax shifts.
Barnes & Noble Coming to Palm Coast’s Target Shopping Center
Palm Coast residents will soon see the end of a long bookstore drought as site plans submitted to the city reveal a Barnes & Noble will be part of a 50,000-square-foot expansion at the Target shopping center. The expansion includes a Five Below and a home goods store.
Nightmare Intersections at Royal Palms, Town Center Blvd. and Old Kings Will Switch to All-Way Stop Signs
The Palm Coast City Council approved installing all-way stop signs at two major intersections at Town Center Boulevard and Royal Palms Parkway, and Town Center and Old Kings Road, within three months to reduce five-minute wait times. These $15,000 improvements address immediate safety concerns. The council also approved design costs for the longer-term widening of Town Center Boulevard to four lanes.
Gas Prices Cruise Past $4 a Gallon Amid Hormuz Impasse
Gas prices in Florida were up an average of 24 cents in the past week, cruising past the $4 mark as the conflict in Iran continued to rattle global oil markets. In Palm Coast on Tuesday, gas was is selling at no less than 4.17–at Wawa on Palm Coast Parkway, for instance–and more often at above $4.20.
Ex-AdventHealth Nurse Avoids Prison Time in Plea to 5 Years’ Probation for Fraud and Unlicensed Practice
Autumn Marie Bardisa received five years of probation for practicing nursing without a license at AdventHealth Palm Coast. The 29-year-old treated over 4,000 patients using a stolen identity. Judge Dawn Nichols withheld adjudication and endorsed the plea deal, saying Bardisa had the the necessary medical training, excelled at her job, but showed incredible poor judgment. Bardisa eventually earned her license, but is surrendering it as part of the plea deal.
Flagler Commissioners Increasingly Nervous Over Long-Delayed Phoenix Crossings Affordable Housing Project
Flagler County commissioners are expressing significant concern regarding the delayed Phoenix Crossings apartment complex in Bunnell. The project aims to house young people exiting foster care and other low-income families. Repeated delays have dogged the project. Commissioners must now decide whether to restructure local grants to prevent the loss of federal and state funding.
Future Hammock Restaurant Wins Parking Reduction Despite Strong Opposition From Residents and 2 Commissioners
The Flagler County Commission approved a parking reduction for the future Modern Mexx restaurant in the Hammock despite concerns over parking congestion at other restaurants. Owners reduced the size of the seating area to mitigate concerns.
Greg Hansen Calls Ending Heidi Petito’s Tenure ‘Criminal’ as Adam Mengel Is Appointed Interim at County
Flagler County commissioners unanimously appointed Adam Mengel as interim administrator as Heidi Petito concludes a five-year tenure marked by significant financial accomplishments, including improving reserves from $9 to $46 million. Commissioner Greg Hansen praised her performance as the best in his experience. Mengel begins his new role on April 11 with an annualized salary of $194,602.
Field of Deals: Daytona Tortugas Offering Discount Tickets to Palm Coast Residents on July 17
As part of the Tortugas’ regional City Nights series, which celebrates local communities, Palm Coast and Flagler County residents can attend the game at a discounted rate. By entering code FLG at checkout, residents can purchase general admission tickets for $9, creating an affordable opportunity for families, friends, and baseball fans to enjoy a night together.