All Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito was asking for was whether county commissioners agreed with a particular way of splitting revenue with Palm Coast and Bunnell from a proposed sales tax increase to pay for beach management.
Instead, and just as cities had been increasingly coaxed to support the county, Petito heard a majority of commissioners–Leann Pennington, Kim Carney and Pam Richardson–speak in opposition to a sales tax increase. Without that increase, the plan Petito devised to rebuild and manage all 18 miles of the county’s beaches would collapse, and with it any hope of continuing the beach renourishment the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started in Flagler Beach–or on many additional miles the county planned to rebuild.
The proposed half-penny sales tax increase requires a supermajority of at least four commissioners to pass. Pennington’s opposition was known. Carney and Richardson had spoken in favor of Petito’s plan as they joined Commission Chair Andy Dance and Commissioner Greg Hansen in endorsing it in early March. Two weeks later Carney began to waver.
On Monday, Carney spoke against the plan, citing its timing while relying on some inaccurate information. Richardson echoed Carney, making it a majority of three opposed to the sales tax plan, if they stick with their new position. They did not speak as if they were hesitant.
The commissioners’ retreats took Commission Chair Andy Dance by surprise and prompted him to call for a vote soon on the tax plan. “We’re going to have to vote on this,” Dace said in an unusually terse tone. “We can’t have staff continuing to do this. This is not helpful at all. And we’re going to have to put the beach renourishment on the agenda and continue to either do it or not, and I would push for some time probably in May.”
For Carney, it was stunning betrayal of Flagler Beach, her hometown where she’d been a city commissioner for nine years, and where the city commission has declared itself “all in” for the county plan.
“I think we’re all reading our legislative updates,” Carney said. “So this board is going to get the direction from our governor that he wants to lower the sales tax by 0.75, but yet this board is going to say, well, thanks governor, but we’re going to raise it a half a cent. I think we need to look at the atmosphere that we’re in right now. And I’ll go out there and say that what looked as something to be an answer is not looking like an answer on April 7, 2025.”
Carney’s information was somewhat inaccurate. She was referring to a proposal by House Speaker Daniel Perez to cut the sales tax from 6 to 5.25 percent, costing the state $5 billion in lost revenue, and local governments a loss of $540 million a year. Perez says the loss can be made up through savings from unspecified state agency spending.
Gov. Ron DeSantis last week said Floridians were not clamoring for a sales tax decrease, and spoke against the Perez proposal. He favors sending every homesteaded homeowner a one-time $1,000 check, though the homesteaded already benefit from steep tax benefits thanks to the Save Our Homes cap on property tax increases.
The House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved the Perez proposal on April 2. But the bill has no companion in the Senate, where Senate President Ben Albritton is opposed to both Perez and DeSantis proposals, calling them both hasty and lacking study. So Carney ad Richardson may themselves be hinging local policy on speculative tax cuts that appear unlikely to happen.
Carney said there are other options than the sales tax. “I haven’t found them yet. I’m working on them,” Carney said, “but I’m not convinced that this county is going to look strong and unified if we put a half cent as governor DeSantis brings us down. And I’m not saying that’s going to pass. I’m not saying that. But we’re not thinking the same way as our governor is thinking.”
Carney also inaccurately referred to Palm Coast “annexing at the rate that it has.” Palm Coast annexations for over a decade and a half have been limited to targeted parcels. Its westward expansion is planned on land it annexed years ago. The largest planned annexation, currently on hold, is by Flagler Beach.
Richardson claimed the beach-management plans have changed several times, going “in a full circle all the way around to make me a little uncomfortable about all of it.” (As Dance told her, there have only been two plans: one to manage the unincorporated portion of the beach, and the current plan, which absorbed the previous one.) Richardson sees discord between residents on the barrier island or between people on the barrier island and the mainland (though there has been no evidence of that discord in public meetings).
“We have to make a fair assessment for everyone. And I don’t know what that is at this point,” Richardson said. “But as per Commissioner Carney, the governor is Doging, and we need to start Doging too.” Richardson was turning the acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, into a verb. The department, informally led by Trump adviser Elon Musk, has been slashing through the federal budget, drawing much fire and ire.
“When we start talking about adding taxes, when everybody else is gunning them, I’m very concerned about that. That’s major,” Richardson said.
Dance tried to correct some of the commissioners’ misconceptions. Flagler County’s tax plan, he said, “has to be separate from the musings that are going on in Tallahassee. And I’d say the Doge thing is one thing. Doge is efficiency. What you’re talking about is investment in the beach infrastructure. I’m all for the digging down and looking for efficiencies within us.”
Pennington still opposes a sales tax increase. She said beach management can be achieved in “drips and drabs” by managing certain unincorporated parts of the beach, as one previous county plan had it. Pennington also tied revenue from the Environmentally Sensitive Lands fund to beach management. ESL revenue is drawn from a modest levy on the property tax and approved by referendum. Using that revenue for beach management has not been considered before.
“Current ESL is a non-starter for what we’re doing,” Dance said. “You can’t use current ESL.” Pennington is suggesting that when the referendum is again before voters, beach management could be substituted for its potential uses “if the beach is such a priority.”
The Petito plan calls for a new half-cent sales tax, with half the revenue from Palm Coast’s and Bunnell’s share going to beach management, and the full share from Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach going to beach management.
The discussion had started when Petito updated the commission on her talks on the sales tax with the administrations in Palm Coast and Bunnell. Both cities’ elected officials had been hesitant about it before warming to the idea. Though the approach has not been approved by their city governments yet, the two administrations are working on an option that would limit the amount of money each city would contribute to the beach.
The cities would pay a baseline share that would remain steady year after year. In other words, if Palm Coast’s 50-50 share were to be $2.7 million next year, then Palm Coast would keep paying that same amount, year after year, even though revenue is expected to increase. That way, the city could see its portion increase over the years.
All Petito was looking for was agreement from the County Commission to head that way. She never got it as the discussion went in many different directions.
“Staff has to know what they’re working with, and right now, they’re under the guidance of our consensus from a month, a month and a half ago, working with the municipalities,” Dance said. “So they can’t continue on this path if it’s going to be fruitless, they need to know.”
Deborah Coffey says
I needed a big smile today. What will it take for Flagler County citizens to realize that Republicans cannot govern? The entire article reads like Republicans main concern about governing is to stay in power…period. Lower voters’ taxes; nope, send them a check; nope DOGE it; nope, FIX THEIR BEACH (climate change is a hoax). Really, a smile turns into an LOL.
Cosmic Karma says
So according to you Andy Dance no one can change their minds and
be a free thinker as new details appear, maybe it’s not about
cronyism or buddyism or any ism as you would like it to be. People
are ALLOWED to change their minds otherwise why even have a mind.
Eric Cooley says
Kim Carney speaking about funding the beach in meeting on 2/27 – “Dont let the sand go away.” “We got to come up with a plan. Dont let people get hung up on this 161 dollars.” “It has to be done.” “Ya gotta budget for it.” “This beach is too important to us.”
Live from Tallahassee..... says
Tax and spend Petito. Is Andy Dance a Democrat posing as a Conservate Republican. Stop taking us Andy. You need some competition in your next election.
The the three Conservative Republicans acted like Conservatives.
Petito needs to go, it’s obvious that the way she trys to get her way is to try to embarrass her bosses and shame them into making stupid decisions.
Cut your budget first then ask for help from your bosses. PETITO, DO YOUR JOB OR RESIGN!
Larry says
DeSantis does NOT support lowering the state sales tax. The 2 commissioners had the wrong info and are making decisions on wrong info. The Florida bill for dropping state sales tax isn’t going to pass. It’s going to die before making it to the governor’s desk because it doesn’t have enough support in the Florida legislature and the governor doesn’t support it anyway.
The 2 county commissioners seem to be making county level decisions based on WRONG information.
Trudi says
Andy, so glad we have at least one commissioner with common sense. Thank you.
celia pugliese says
Finally commissioner Richardson changed, at least this time, the course and voted what the constituents elected her to do. Right before that she generated the discontent we all felt with her display of uncompassionate comment against us, from one more affected resident of Grand Landings regarding the dangerous and nuisance activities of the flight schools training over Palmcoasters 24-7. Richarson minute 2.43.58 and the educated affected plead of affected resident Darlene Shelley 3.27.13 and rebuke to Richardson by angered Lori Sag minute 3.38.14 enduring the flight schools danger and nuisance in Grand Landings as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfbfQyTmBdw. Well deserved 3 minutes and I applaud the lady resident of Grand Landings angered by the heartless comments of commissioner Richardson totally unjustified. We elect our representatives to attend our needs and justified complaints without telling us they are tired to hear us, (is not what they promised to us in the campaign trail and now flipped) or reply to us from their power position with uncompasionate blabbery.
Jay Tomm says
So far this board is constantly flip flopping. THAT IS NOT GOOD!
I Just Love Flagler Beach says
Shame on you Kim Carney for bending the knee to the DeSantis Trump way of doing business.
Your concern for the “the atmosphere we’re in right now” seems to be affecting your decisions because what, you think if you disagree with them they’ll just sweep in and replace you, so you just need to agree with whatever to keep your position?
And, “there are other options than the sales tax. I haven’t found them yet. I’m working on them.” So, is this like a “concept” of a plan, like Trump’s “concept” of a health care plan that we have Never Ever seen?
Doesn’t seem like a cogent thoughtful way to run our county.
Laurel says
“Richardson sees discord between residents on the barrier island or between people on the barrier island and the mainland (though there has been no evidence of that discord in public meetings).” Maybe not, but maybe they actually read FlaglerLive comments!
Here’s a little discord for you: I did some quick, rough, research on the Property Appraiser’s website, and it looks like approximately nine miles of the eighteen miles of Flagler County’s beach is private, or private access only, from the northern county border, to Flagler Beach City limits. About half the beach is private. Why hasn’t our fearless leader, Commissioner Hansen, mentioned that? Why hasn’t Ms. “Palm Coast doesn’t have a beach” Petito mentioned that?
Now, explain to me, why those of us on the barrier island, with public beach access only, should pay an annual, disproportionate fee for the private beaches?
From “Sun and Surf” magazine, April-May-June 2025 issue article “A Summer of Memories st the Club at Hammock Beach:” “No day is complete without a visit to the stunning coquina beach, which is about to see a major update with a planned restoration project in the very near future. This will expand the beach, enhancing the experience for guests looking to relax by the ocean. The calm waves make it perfect for families with kids who prefer gentle waters for splashing and wading.”
Yeah, you’re welcome. Who the hell are y’all kidding?
Now, we are talking whether these commissioners are conservatives or not. So, we’re down to political favoritism v. factual fairness and planning. We’re being distracted with “our governor,” not whether we are using the best planning for all constituents.
What a circus.
Ron says
How long will you be delaying a project that must be completed? When will we have a commission that can make common sense decision not base on politics but what needs to be done to not only protect our dune but our roadways that are being used by every resident living in Flagler County.
Raising sales tax 1/2 percent is the clear way to get this done. As of now the residents that live on the barrier island are once again being access to provide emergency sand protection for dune protection prior to 2026.
The Commissioners voting against this recommendation and holding this protection of our beaches hostage must care more about their future elections !
The Villa Beach Walker says
At the 2/27/25 Flagler Beach City Commission meeting, Kim Carney passionately supported the county plan for funding beach re-nourishment, saying that as a Flagler Beach resident and former City Commission member, “This beach is too important to us.”
And now she’s trying to read the tea leaves in Tallahassee?
The voters in District 3 made a huge mistake in supporting her candidacy. She fooled us. Hopefully, many will remember this mistake when she runs for office again.
Ed P says
Flagler County has an ordinance protecting public access to its 18.1 miles of beaches including those within private property, true some beaches are privately owned, but the ordinance ensures customary public use. You can visit and enjoy every foot.
Common sense needs to be used, Palm Coast is in fact a beach community and every property owner should be assessed. Would a $50 annual increase in property tax create a financial hardship? The 1/2 cent sales tax is $50 on every $10,000 spent on entertainment and taxable goods. The sales tax would not be deductible like a property tax increase would be for homeowners paying less than $10,000 in annual real estate taxes.
The property owners directly on the ocean are certainly paying $15,000 to $20.000 per year in real estate taxes and maybe more, while long time residences in town pay $2000. To point out the inequalities of a small assessment seems a bit foolish.
Laurel says
Ed P: Okay, please tell me where all the parking spaces are, and beach access trails are along the approximately nine miles of private beach, that we can “…visit and enjoy every foot.” Both St. Johns and Volusia Counties have intermittent parking and beach access trails along A1A. Where are they in Flagler County? Point them out, please. Nine, or so, miles is a long stretch to hike with coolers and chairs, so you must know of these accesses, right? Do tell.
The reason for the county’s absurd plan is for tourism, and the wealthy to get beach restoration behind their homes and resorts. Those who support their campaigns, and vote in blocks, are their only consideration. They could not care less about the rest of the residents.
Fernando Melendez says
I once was suggesting we look at options such as a 0.5 percent seasonal tax, perhaps a meal tax, a $10 dollar on every $100 of Ad valorem tax on properties where the owners live outside the county or state and even investigate a land transfer fee/tax, maybe a parking fee at Flagler Beach might be an option. All these on the top of the TDCs portion of revenue towards the beach renourishment were all viable and will finally help eliminate a countywide tax ask of our taxpayers. County taxpayers are fed up with paying taxes and fees as well as making up for the county’s mistakes. Andy Dance needs to stop spending on other non essential county spending to then try to pass yet another half cent sales tax, which is what he always does. What can be expected from a democrat who runs as a Republican.
Ed P says
Picayune is the only word to explain the resistance.
There are at least 70,000 homes and many undeveloped lots in Flagler County that need to be assessed a small beach nourishment tax. Whether it be $40, $50 or $60 is irrelevant. Flagler County is the only coastline county in the state without a program. It must be done regardless of the noise from the curmudgeons.
Every liberal wants to be empathetic until it’s going to cost them 15 cents a day?
Embarrassing to say the least.
Laurel says
Ed P: On your last comment, now I agree with you. The program should be distributed fairly. To assess a trailer on a small lot the same as a commercial resort club, restaurant and pool, or a large golf course, both directly on the ocean, is simply political favoritism, ignoring other residents.