In a major retreat from safety-net responsibilities, the Flagler County Commission is shutting down the $359,000 adult day care program it’s managed for two decades. Commissioners agreed at a workshop on Monday to close the program by the end of the fiscal year in September. Commissioners cited unsustainable subsidies helping too few clients. Some 25 to 50 clients who may have no alternative will be affected.
Fearing future property tax revenue cuts, the county will now develop an exit plan for the program’s remaining vulnerable clients. The decision may be a harbinger of many like it in county and city governments that may reshape the scope of government responsibilities in anticipation of an upended tax base.
Commissioners since last year have been critical of the program’s bottom line, and came close to phasing it out last winter. They stopped short, requesting a more detailed presentation that Joe Hegedus, director of Flagler County’s Health and Human Services Department, provided. The numbers were not encouraging, though social services numbers never are. Like parks and transportation for the needy, they’re not money-makers but services.
“Social services never have, ever in my 25 years’ experience, been anything about revenue,” Hegedus said. “It costs to serve our most vulnerable folks, to pick them up and get them on their feet, and it’s just about whether or not that’s an acceptable cost to us as a community.”
The County Commission decided that it is not acceptable.
“It’s like the new Chick-fil-A,” Commissioner Kim Carney said. “Did you see how long that line was to try to get in a sandwich from the new Chick-fil-A? If this was the best program in town, you would have people knocking on your doors. You would have to turn them away.”
The analogy was not quite exact: a unique social service is not cheap fast food, especially in a community where, Hegedus said, no other alternative adult day care programs or providers exist for a vulnerable population. Other than in-home care, which is two to three times as expensive, there are no other providers but Flagler County. Still, Carney’s point is that demand for the service is simply not at a level that would justify that much underwriting.
“My concern is it’s a speculative business plan regardless, just to break even,” Commission Chair Leann Pennington said. “We just don’t have revenue like that to expend. And I understand, it’s not something we’re supposed to make money on. I’m not trying to make money, just break even or close to it, but we’re not even close to it for a population of that small. So it’s one thing to lose $200,000 a year, but you’re helping 800 to 1,000 or a couple of thousand people in the community. It’s another thing to lose it on a population that’s less than 20 people. It just doesn’t seem like that’s a good use of tax dollars for local government to be in the business of.”
The commission’s consensus was unanimous, with painful regret from most, especially Commissioner Greg Hansen, who at the beginning of the discussion was adamant that the program should be preserved. By the end of the discussion, it was him who said: “Shut it down,” but only the way one pulls a trigger. He did not want lingering half-measures. “If we do this, we do it, cut it. That’s it. No more dollars going for this program,” Hansen said. “And I got to tell you, that pains me. That really pains me.”
Hegedus tried valiantly to advocate for the program. He said the adult daycare program–previously the responsibility of the defunct Flagler Council on Aging–provides essential community-based care at a net annual cost of about $4,666 per participant per year. The program ostensibly supports 45 to 50 adults.
The $4,666 figure is a best-case scenario. The program’s current budget is $359,000, with projected expenses of $336,000. The program’s goal is to generate $125,000 in revenue. But last year it generated just $84,000, and the year before, $101,000. The $4,666 figure is based on assuming that net expenses will be $210,000, and that there will be 45 participants. By the county’s own calculation, enrollment is less than half that–from 15 to 25 a month at best, thus raising the cost per participant proportionately. The typical client attends about five hours a week.
Going by last year’s actual figures, with net expenses of $240,000 and even 30 participants, the per-participant cost was $8,000. The numbers don’t take account of ongoing staffing problems, which at the moment limit enrollment to 15 clients on any given day. The program has three staffers but needs five.
“The program costs outside of personnel and staff have been minimized,” Hegedus said. The program provides food, utilities and program supplies. The largest cost is personnel.
Hegedus had ideas on improving the bottom line. The county bills $10 an hour for clients who pay privately. Raising that to $15 an hour (the rate charged in a similar program in St. Johns County) would marginally narrow the gap, though that would have to be done incrementally over the next three years. Doubling enrollment and raising the hourly rate would bring the program closer to breaking even, but not quite: “This assumes that these are all private pay clients,” Hegedus said. They’re not. “We have Medicaid clients, others, referrals that don’t pay as much as the private pay rate.” They pay less.
The county could also have secured licensing to care for dementia patients, which would potentially increase enrollment and revenue, as Alzheimer’s patients command a higher revenue rate. The county could have also required clients to stay longer than the currently required minimum of four hours. But doubling attendance would also strain the staff, depending on the level of needs of the clients.
“We’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot to a certain degree with some of these ideas,” Hegedus conceded, when he thought the program still had a shot. He proposed implementing the ideas gradually, and reevaluating in the future. “Again, I believe, and I would pose to you, that this is a critical service for the most vulnerable in our community,” he said, “and even at an annual cost of $4,400 per client, I personally believe that’s an acceptable cost to provide the service that we do, and again, with no other option for folks in our community.”
Commissioner Andy Dance said the program is an important component in the quality of life of its clients. But he fears what may happen if a lot of property tax revenue is eliminated. Lawmakers are expected to place a proposed constitutional amendment on November’s ballot that would in one way or another sharply reduce property tax revenue for local governments. “I don’t know if this ends up surviving that, because we’re going to have so many things that we’re not going to be able to do, everything that we used to be able to do,” Dance said. “We’re going to be making that decision really soon as a community, as a state.”
“If we are faced with what we believe may be coming out of Tallahassee, then I would say that you’re not going to be providing subsidies at all,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said. “You’re not going to be able to afford it.” By that point, it appeared clear that the commissioners were headed toward ending the program, while Petito wanted clarity on what sort of budget she could submit in a few months.
To Pennington, it’s not even about the property tax. “We should be filling the necessities, regardless of whether or not what they’re doing with property tax,” she said.
Whatever route they took to get there, all five commissioners eventually agreed that the program must end.
“My suggestion would just be to set a clear end date of services, and that gives both staff and clients a projected timeline they can plan towards,” Hegedus said. The next step will be for Petito to bring an exit plan to the commission in coming months.
Jay Tomm says
As it should be…..Been a waste of money for years. Yes It’s a sad thing…but the math doesn’t work to keep it.
There are private sectors that can step in now.
Tired of it says
What private sectors ?
Eddie says
Wasting money FOR YEARS? How did you come to that conclusion?
celia says
Jay simply because you are not one of the affected disable or other needy elderly affected by this shameful cut. What about this county other than requesting grants in millions and millions for airport and Nexus ballrooms masked as library instead ask for these needed grants? Because compassion, care is not reflected in your post or the county staff or BOCC only greed is satisfy with the taxes we pay, not the services we need and pay for. Hopefully in 2026 we will change all that. So please voters get aware of what takes place today.
Gina says
Once again we see PROFIT put ahead of lives. The adult day care center
is a safe haven for our seniors, numbers do not matter, loved ones put their family
members there for some respite periods between their daily lives and caring for
their loved ones, people who need to drive their kids to school, or have a part
time job to supplement their household incomes, or even as a social stimulus
to provide social activities for their seniors who are lonely as it is and need that
social interaction with people their own age. This program is so much more then
cars lined up for a fast food chicken sandwich which will eventually die down just like the
opening of Popeyes or any other fast food service had with their openings. And to
top it off there is no other program like this in Palm Coast! Shameful! Next question,
what is going to go in that area, or is this another LAND GRAB for the airport? The city
should get involved and speak up on behalf of its elderly population in Palm Coast.
The dude says
The “elderly population” enthusiastically voted for the people who proposed and voted on this. This is what they want… until they themselves need it. Then it becomes a critical need.
Just another day in the MAGAverse.
celia says
City of Palm Coast does not show compassion either or real care for the Alzheimers or Dementia affected elderly or the ADA patients and their (still working to make a living) home care family member either, as they plan to close, end/defund the less than 400,000 cost of the elderly services. Also they never cared to address the school board and administrator to close the use of the Belle Terre Pool to them as well and over lies of a 50,000 budget shortfall and went to spend almost a million to refurbish the Gym there to host a wellness center for staff. . Now also Palm Coast for worst closed the Frieda Zamba renamed Aquaric Cernter Pool . for the winter. Shameful.
Ed says
About time.
How long does it take to FINALLY decide to cut loses and save the taxpayers money for something more important…………..
Like dumping more sand into the ocean lol
Ted says
Money got eventually wasted from 2022. Due to new staffing. They turned down clients if they appeared to need assistance in walking, bathroom, etc. Those needs are why the place opened in the first place. New staffing/management practices made that great place die. Sad.
Ted says
Not a waste of money when you’ve got dementia or the adult children of dementia patients. Or the blind, etc…. I drove a bus dropping off and picking up patients. Those old people loved the place. The head nurse there made that place a beautifully welcoming place. Janet. I watched her with the old people. So kind and so much fun. Everyone loved her. She was the reason why the children brought their parents there. She was there since day 1 in the 90’s. She retired about 3 years ago. When she left she took her loving ways and enthusiasm with her. The place went downhill. When Janet ran it there was a long waiting list to get in. So not a waste of money when she was there for over 20 years. When she left the new management was not nearly as welcoming. So few people signed up. That’s when it became a waste of money. Now Flagler’s population is growing rapidly and now less choice for the old people. That’s awful.
just wait for it says
When Hegedus and Lord ( yes Emergency Management Directors wife) took over it was more about their high salaries then helping the clients. Lord would refuse a senior if they were even a little overweight, if they needed any kind of service other than coloring for four hours at the table. This is public property, go there at 9am and not one single senior, but three staff just sitting around since 8am watching TV. There was plenty of times I stopped by to see senior services and not a single seniors at the adult daycare, even in the afternoon.
Palm Coast Citizen says
This ADC closure is not an isolated cost-cutting decision. It is an early signal of what local governments are preparing for if a property tax amendment reaches the ballot. As Commissioner Dance clearly noted, if the anticipated revenue losses materialize, we are not talking about trimming programs around the edges. We are talking about “everything that we used to be able to do.”
Yes, the ADC was operating “in the red,” but so do nearly all public services that exist to support vulnerable populations. It is the nature of public service. The same is true for libraries, parks, planning, code enforcement, road maintenance, and public safety infrastructure. None of these exist to turn a profit. They exist to hold communities together.
Consider the scale. Even eliminating leadership positions, cutting director pay, and ending entire departments will not come close to filling the revenue gap created by a major property tax reduction. The shortfall does not disappear. Many programs and services will be cut, and what’s critical gets pushed onto residents through fees, service withdrawals, and degraded infrastructure. Even then it falls short.
If a constitutional amendment appears on the ballot, residents should press their local governments for specifics. How many staff are there. What do they actually do. What stops when funding disappears. Because this is not just about social services. It reaches into the basic functions that quietly shape daily life.
The fluff we all want cut is minuscule compared to what’s on the table. The cuts that would follow are structural, and they would reshape our communities in ways most people will only notice after they’re gone.
This ADC closure is not the end of the property-tax elimination story. It is the beginning of one.
BIG Neighbor says
Question: Before voting on dropping property taxes in the state of Florida, can and will state, county and municipal bodies provide mock-ups to model impact of disruption and displacement of services without being pushed to do so? That way folks can understand a little better how this monumental change will affect them personally?
TR says
Sad to hear this, but the worst program the county has is the Flagler County Transportation Dept. Talk about loosing money? There are so many incompetent people running that program, it’s pathetic.
Herman says
None of the services which the County offers brings a profit except the airport. Services are just that, services. I am hearing the Chairman has offered to match funds for a new animal shelter. If the trade off is dogs or seniors, we need a new Chairman.
This cannot be right.
Larry says
Shame. Most people don’t realize how important programs are for disabled and elderly until they or a family member become disabled or elderly and in need of services that they never needed before and never dreamed they would need. Not everyone is young and fit and able bodied.
Knightmomoftwo says
Don’t worry, if the property tax amendment passes, when people call local government with questions or concerns, they can listen to the following recording, ” Sorry we missed your call, but there is no one here to listen to your question or concern as all departments have been shut down, so you are on your own, have a good day”. Be careful what you wish for as it may bite us all in the butt. People really need to think about how this will impact our community.
SHW says
A proper analogy: If I owned a restaurant and built it to serve 500 people a day but I only had 20-30 customers per day, how long do you think I’d survive as business?? Unless I had great benefactors or lots of money in the bank, I’d be gone in short order!
The County and all Cities in the County should be looking for ways to cut expenses, many of which are vanity projects that they use our tax dollars to pay for. Cut out the WASTE, fraud and abuse BEFORE we get “DOGED”!
Another point – situations like this point out exactly why the County and the cities (Palm Coast in particular) have been negligent in not attracting more industry! With more industry, the tax base is much larger, jobs are available and residents are not on the hook for most of the taxes paid and our horrible unemployment numbers would improve!
Ted says
The place is so empty because the new staff has been turning away applicants for the past three or four years. If a person needs a little help in bathroom or if they are a bit high strung or if they need to be sat by while they eat, etc…the staff said no, you can’t come in. It means I’d need to actually work. That’s why the place is nearly empty.
Not surprised says
Andy Dance and the rest of the commissioners should educate themselves as to
why a Dementia senior center has a low censes. Those with a Dx. of Dementia
require much more care with their attention to ADL’s, feeding, eating, escorting
to rest room. The activities alone are different then those of regular adult daycare
centers. Instead of going to ribbon cutting ceremonies costing millions of dollars
for the airport to nowhere he and the rest of his team should be looking at a ribbon
cutting ceremoney that will benefit our seniors and is much needed. Work for the
citizens who put you there.