A week after approving a plan in principle that would have imposed a new tax on almost all residents countywide to raise $7 million a year for beach protection, the Flagler County Commission today stepped back sharply from that plan, acknowledging that it had not done the necessary “outreach” to the public or to other local governments to ensure its success.
The county also appeared ready to reject imposing the tax across the county, refocusing instead on the barrier island communities alone–the Hammock, Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach, Marineland and everyone in between. But not just yet.
Under the reconfigured plan the commission favored today, the barrier island communities would assume half the responsibility of the needed $7 million, paying $3.5 million through a three-limbed tax on property owners. The county will assume responsibility for the other $3.5 million–$2 million of that from revenue drawn from the tourism sales surtax, and $1.5 million from the county’s general fund.
At least that’s the direction the commission gave the county administration today. It can still change, though it’s not likely to change significantly in coming weeks because no taxing plan will be presented to residents this year–not on the mainland, not on the barrier island.
As was the case last week, both the administration and the County Commission still have a lot of work ahead. None of it eliminates this overriding reality: the county has an immediate $27 million burden ahead to pay for beach reconstruction north of Flagler Beach, and millions more to pay in coming years.
It will face additional burdens in the future as erosion and sea rise continue to grind away at the shore, and as the county will have to contribute substantial shares to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ beach-rebuilding project about to start in Flagler Beach. “Because you don’t want to build something and then not maintain it and walk away,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said.
The County Commission cannot let yet one more year pass with inaction on its fledgling beach-management plan, itself delayed many years. Flagler County is the last coastal county in the state to enact such a plan. It is finally happening. But it cannot happen without dedicated dollars. So the county will seed it with an infusion of $3.5 million, but without needing permission from taxpayers or other governments.
To do that, the County Commission must approve changing the formula that controls Tourist Development Council revenue from the 5 percent sales surtax imposed on short-term rentals, motels, hotels, camping and the like. Visitors, not residents, overwhelmingly pay that tax. Only 20 percent of that revenue–less than $1 million–is devoted to beach protection. The rest goes to promoting the county and building tourist-related facilities. The county wants to double the proportion going to beach protection. It has to decide which of the other two categories will lose the money.
The $1.5 million out of the general fund would be a one-year appropriation for now. But the commission has to decide where it will get that money from–whether from reserves, from budget cuts, or from foregoing a planned reduction in the property tax of a tenth of a mil.
Commissioner Dave Sullivan proposed appropriating the $1.5 million, as a signal of the county’s commitment–representing all county residents–but only for this year. “I honestly don’t think we can get this agreed to before our budget has to be approved this year,” he said of any other taxing plan that would require buy-in from other cities. “Let’s put $3.5 million in the coming year into this beach management fund and then work the rest of the details out following that. But only a one-year commitment, and see how it goes after that.”
Equally important is “outreach,” or education of the public that will explain what all this beach management is for, why so much money is needed, what would be a fair way of generating the revenue, how the burden would be shared, why the barrier island might pay more, why within the barrier island some property owners would pay more than others, and so on.
“The proper course is education,” Commission Chairman Andy Dance said in reaction to numerous questions the public posed today near the end of a three-hour workshop that also made clear that the county had been moving at a quicker pace than the public would tolerate.
“If we don’t have public trust and buy-in in what we’re doing, then we’re failing,” Dance said. “Going down an expedited path because we got the final result at a certain time period doesn’t dictate that we have to go down the expedited path. We follow our instincts and we follow what we need to do to properly educate the public and bring them into the fold.”
The beach nourishment project is essential, he said, but he did not want the cities forced into a timeline. “We need to be working more collaboratively,” he said. But the next step is to “work on the plan for dedicated furning moving forward.”
That plan was discussed at length, with both Stanley Geberer, a senior managing consultant with Public Financial Management Group–the county’s beach management consultant–and Jorge Salinas, the deputy county administrator, explaining how it would work.
Geberer pushed for the countywide plan, even though it had lost its support, at least for now: “What Flagler County has done and done better than some of the other places is created a beach management plan for the entire county that spans more than a generation into the future and will really take care of the interrelated aspects of these projects,” he said. “It helps spread the pain across all of the residents.”
Geberer dislikes a parochial approach, in his words, “I got my little corner over here and I’m I don’t I’m not affected by anybody else.” But he could not convince the commissioners, who were already facing a small revolt among themselves, particularly from Commissioner leann Pennington, who didn;t disagree with a management plan, but thought it should have been put forth in November, giving commissioners time to analyze it.
The option that came to the fore dropped the rest of the county from what would be a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (or tax district), and focused that tax district on the barrier island exclusively. Properties would be taxed three ways, a bit like a water and sewer bill: there would be a base fee, there would be an additional fee based on neighborhood–are you on the beach, are you east of A1A, are you west of A1A–and there would be a third component based on the value of the property (similar to the consumption component on a water bill).
Everyone would pay a base rate, which would account for half the revenue to be generated. As for the remaining 50 percent: Then oceanfront properties would assume 60 percent of the tax, properties east of A1A would assume 25 percent, and properties west of A1a would assume 15 percent.
But those are further details yet to be worked out. The numbers made Commissioner Donald O’Brien uncomfortable. He said that would be like raising taxes 9 percent on some of those property owners. “I’m not talking about the total tax bill, I’m talking about our share. So that would be like us raising county taxes 9-10 percent,” he said, “just for that.”
“That is correct,” Salinas confirmed. “But this is trying to come up with an alternative to address the need that we have to protect the barrier island. So there’s a cost for living in the barrier island, basically.” The details of that plan are outlined in the attachment below, as presented to the commission today.
“We need to proceed with this as fast as we can,” Commissioner Greg Hansen said. “I don’t know that we can get it done for this year, but for ‘26 for sure, we have to get this done and establish this pot of money.”
Last week when the commission first took on the management plan, the chamber was almost empty. This week, the workshop drew more interest, and several members of the public addressed the commission. “We’re not being creative enough at all with how to get money from more people to reduce it per head,” one member of the public said. Another, Kim Carney, the former Flagler Beach city commissioner and a current candidate for the County Commission, said: “You are bearing the weight of 25 years of no decision making by the county. Twenty-five years.”
Richard Hamilton, a barrier island resident who follows local policy closely, environmental policy especially, likely summed up broader public sentiment: “I’m perfectly willing to pay a fair share. I like your words, ‘fair and reasonable,’” he said. “I have one of the bigger homes, I expect to pay more in taxes. But it has to be fair and reasonable.” But he also noted what appears to be a gaping hole in the management plan’s analysis: it is weighed toward oceanfront property owners, when the Intracoastal also poses a significant hazard in storm surge events, as Flagler Beach found out after Hurricane Irma and again more recently.
“So you need to explain what exactly is the plan and what protections are you affording to me in Island Estates,” he said. “I’m not worried about the beach. I’m worried about the Intercoastal and the rising, and nothing in your plan does anything to improve the Intercoastal and its impact.”
The commission will again discuss the plan next Monday, but Palm Coast and Bunnell governments will not have to be concerned with a request for a resolution to buy into a countywide tax. Nor will Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach for now, but since the focus of just such a tax is now on the barrier island, the two governments are likely to have their own discussions about it when they meet next. The Flagler Beach City Commission meets Thursday.
JimboXYZ says
That’s about the only way this works for properties at risk. When you live where the beach is part of your back yard, that’s what you bought as the wealthiest of Americans, Flagler County, whatever you perceive yourself as. This might even come full circle back toi the Holland Park Splash Pad. That’s close to $ 8-9 million dollars that was simply misappropriated by Holland & Klufas at the very least for approving that mess. As I recall from a FlaglerLive read that was the millions that the tourism taxation as a source that did a lot better than anyone thought. If there’s money to be spent, it needs to go to infrastructure or any beach rebuilds. That probably means the cost of tourism in Flagler County goes up. Those that capitalize most on tourism dollars for revenues & profits should bear the cost of their natural theme park to remain open to perpetuate tourism. The rest of us are relative victims for the increase in a strain on traffic & roadways, water, sewage, electricity and what benefits are derived for locals ? Alfin claims the growth was going to pay for all of this, the impact fees were flat out inadequate if they were ever collected. Dredging the canals is going to need it’s own special formula to be paid for as well. I don’t doubt this drought in part has been caused by environmental impacts of the Alfin growth mess. Ruined Palm Coast and therefore the majority of Flagler County with Bidenomics. Would it be this bad under Trump ? I do know one thing, get rid of the Biden war chest, do something about the border crisis for immigration (legal & illegal) & how many billions, 10’s or 100’s of billions that is a trending growth towards trillions does the Federal Government alone, have for taking care of the East & West coast shoreline(s). There’s a vision for Palm Coast 2050 that nobody gets asked about in a survey.
What's Trump Got to do with it? says
Remember when Trump wanted to build oil rigs on the east coast of Florida? Do you really think the environment is safer under trump? Who cares about illegal immigrants if we run out of clean drinking water?
Jim says
JimboXYZ, you’re right! If Trump were still president, the beaches would never erode and, if that did happen, he’d make Mexico pay for it! (Or, since we’re on the other side of the Gulf, maybe Cuba?). And you’re absolutely right, if we’d get control of the border, which will not cost any money…, we can spend all that savings in Flagler County!
I think you need to go to city council and demand they show prove that they prove to you that they’ve actually be collecting the impact fees for new building. You are on to a major crime there…..
And I’m amazed how you tied the splash pad at Holland park to a tax on beach replenishment. Quite a logical path from one to the other.
Please run for city council. We need more genius’s like you to straighten out all these messes. You can fix it all, big guy…..
JOE D says
If they can’t use property value for this “fee”…because then it would be a complicated mess as a “tax”…then at least (in addition to scaling it based on proximity to the Ocean), then possibly use home square footage as a scale WITHIN the proximity zone. A 600sq ft Condo on the beach side shouldn’t pay the same fee as a 2800+ Sq ft larger home. And given that there are 6000 total Brunnel homes expected in the next 10 years, you can’t say Brunnel area residents don’t benefit from the beach AT ALL…and pay $0.
They SERIOUSLY need to spend LOTS of time to figure out a FAIR way to divide the expense up. But it looks like the COUNTDOWN clock can’t be over 1 year!
JW says
The United States is in many ways already a dis-United States. Florida is also a disunited State and now we are moving towards making Flagler County a disunited county? Interesting to see how the country is breaking up. Looks like a trump philosophy!
We are not a community anymore, we are breaking up in tribes, all based on money, money and again money. Shame on us.
Andy Dance is right about EDUCATION of the public. Let’s be honest, on a topic like this the public and commissioners are IGNORANT, plain and simple. The other day Flagler Live had an article about the Netherlands which has more experience on how to handle flood management for hundreds of years. We should also look at how other counties or states have handled this.
MAGA folks talk a lot about immigrants as enemies but our number I enemy is our own IGNORANCE. It is not just how to spread the cost (that seems always on top of mind in America), but designing a long term plan (we have been wasting our money for too long). Do we think the C-section of Palm Coast won’t be affected if the Barrier Island is; how naive!
I again end with a quote from W.E.B. Du Bois (1905) so it maybe sink in one day:
EITHER THE UNITED STATES WILL DESTROY IGNORANCE OR IGNORANCE WILL DESTROY THE UNITED STATES.
Lorie Robinson says
Well said.
MAGA says
I still enjoy how democrats want to make MAGA a bad thing. The Acronym for “Make America Great Again” is what defeats you in the next election.
There’s more of us than there is you, so you lose. 4 more years but 4 more years later than we thought so… lot of damage to repair to our country.
endangered species says
ha we all know you will definitely have at least 20 million less votes and will cry fraud if beaten fairly. I think if the maga wins then it will be the last free election in america.
Just asking says
I’m so tired of this, please explain exactly what damage has been done to the country under the Biden administration. And to be clear I dislike the options we have as a counrty. Record low unemployment? Record high stock market? Personal investments that recouped all the value lost under the prior administration? Whats you house worth now, I’m sure its not the 90,000 you paid for it. Not for nothing, but think back to four years ago where it seemed all hope was lost because of Covid, yet through good management and policies, the US rebounded quite well. Inflation, its global, Immigration, its global, cost of housing global. The lost jobs, factory work, are not coming back, people don’t want to work in factories. Ask me how I know, because I work in manufacturing. Try and find someone, and then keep them more than three days. Same for the trades, Johnny dont want to get his hands dirty. Option is to send the kids off to school, then burdened them with a loan to pay off. We the people need to stop letting the politicians try to separate us. We are supposed to be united. I expect better, we should vote accordingly.
The Sour Kraut says
I think that decision has already been made. Unfortunately, the country and the county have chosen ignorance.
Backslapping Commission says
Dance with his Trogen Horse effect by using the word “educate people”,
we are all educated and not stupid as to another FCBOCC attempted rubber
stamping deal that you all thought you were going to get passed without
proper public notice, proper public input and justifiable pubic address
but you all got caught or it all caught up with all of you. If you really wanted
to “educate” people you would have done so sooner, you all knew this was
coming and if all of you didn’t you should not be on a county seat, can’t wait
for the elections.
Truck loads of sand do nothing says
Duh. They probably read my commets about all of this on Flagler Live. Literally, the wealthy pay less than half of the costs compared to non beach side residents. Glad to see this was put to past! If any money is stolen from non-beach side residents, it should go towards eminent domain and the movement of A1A to a more sustainable location. Buy up those beachside properties! Glad to hear I do not need to go to any public meetings! Buh Bye dumb ideas!!
Pay To Play says
Look if you want to enjoy the high life of the close proximity to the Mighty Atlantic then do it. Pay the piper when you realize that the same ocean doesn’t care about you. Build, rent or buy a home on a sand bar, Well then what did you expect?
Terry says
Since I have moved here I have noticed a major disdain towards Palm Coasters by the Flagler “locals”. That disdain of course disappears when they are looking for a handout.
Get over it says
Ha! The Palm Coasters are the ones who comment with absolute joy after every flood event. They hate us FB locals. Well… feeling is becoming mutual.
Karl Barber says
If you live in the county and you have the same beach access then you should pay the same. Why should some that live inland and also use the beach get a pass. Same with the canals, which already pay a higher tax rate. Why should some who don’t live on the canals and also use them not have to also chip in for the needed dredging?
Greg says
I feel EVERYONE in Flagler County benefits from the beach. As much as I hate to say this, every house and business should be taxed extra to pay for this. No free passes.
I Just Love Flagler Beach says
I totally agree with previous comments that Everyone in Flagler County benefits from the beach. I live on the barrier island and I can assure you that, especially on weekends and holidays, the vast majority of people on the beach are not from the island. And, they don’t seem to have the same respect for the beach as the residents of the island do. Just look around at the trail of trash they leave behind. I’m okay with those living closer should paying more, but Everyone Should Pay.
dave says
Just remember this, retreats are nothing but regroupings before another offensive is pushed.
gw says
How about another toll bridge to cross over to the barrier island? You want to use the beach, pay for it.
Mothersworry says
That might work, but also what about all the business that benefit from the beach throughout the county? Or a permit to park.
Chris Conklin says
If the people in rest of county don’t want to contribute to saving the beach they can keep there ass on west side of bridge. Just stay away or charge them to park. we don’t want you here any way. don’t spend money leave a mess. stay away
Hammock Joe says
Residents on the Barrier island both Flagler Beach and The Hammock have far higher assessed values and on average pay far higher taxes. By looking at the Tax appraiser site almost to the tune of 2 to 1 when compared to the average Palm coast resident. So the beach plan should be paid out of general fund revenues which would mean that Barrier Island residents will pay MORE then their fair share especially considering that the higher taxes paid by the Islanders subsidizes EVERTHING the county provides for residents of Palm Coast.
If the beach is allowed to continue to fade and it impacts the values of homes on the island, guess who’s taxes are going to have to rise to make up the difference…yep that’s right Palm coast residents. This tax should be paid out of general fund revenues…and look at the budgets submitted by the Sheriff, Clerk, and SOE yesterday an average of 14% increases! Really! Is that needed? Does the sheriff really need a mobile kitchen, 2-armoured trucks, 5+ boats, and more? I don’t think so
Maybe budgets for the next few years should be restricted to 5% increases annually and all funds beyond that go to the Beach nourishment! We need to be smarter with the millions paid by the residents in this county! And how about the new library, $16Million to a new library when in this day and age everyone has access to internet…how about that $16 Million be used for the beach. Our officials need to start thinking smarter about the funds they have. the county has the money, its just not using it in a smart way!
Palm Coast Citizen says
The beach and the intercoastal waterways do impact all of us. From economic development to tourism, the success of Flagler Beach has an impact on the rest of the county. That said, I do appreciate a tiered approach. If the County considers a MSBU and pulls some funding from GR, it is a cost for all county residents, but it’s weighed more on the barrier island. That could be reasonable.
Gerber’s earlier presentation indicated that west of US1 is limited to benefit from the beachside, and so I would think increasing taxes for people in those rural, western areas like Espanola and Daytona North wouldn’t make much sense.
Laurel says
“The county also appeared ready to reject imposing the tax across the county, refocusing instead on the barrier island communities alone–the Hammock, Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach, Marineland and everyone in between. But not just yet.”
You know, where the smallest number of voters live.
I looked up all five county commissioners and the county administrator on the Property Appraiser’s website, and guess what? All live within the City of Palm Coast city limits. If I’m wrong on any of these, please show me where. None live in the Hammock, Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, Marineland and everyone in between. So under current plan, they won’t pay. Palm Coast commission will be happy to go along with this, and will give their approval. So, they would not be assessed, and the vast majority of voters, which are located in Palm Coast, will be happy. Free ride for the largest population.
Commissioner Hansen, you noticed that there are people living in 1B who are not rich, and shouldn’t be assessed so much. You seemed to skip over those living in 1A, didn’t you? So you are content to divide us up by judging what homes we live in? Is it good practice for commissioners to divide us up by social standing, or aren’t you supposed to represent all of us?
Let’s see, the other way, if we assess by the size of the housing unit, then vacation rentals in Hammock Dunes, which is the vast majority of vacation rental units in the county, owned by people who do not live here but benefit from the beach, again, get a break over permanent homeowners.
These administrators keep dividing us up. Whether it’s about vacation rentals, or drainage or the beach. It certainly looks like the real benefits are to commissioners and the administrators. God bless me and to hell with everyone else. The only fair way to do this is to assess everyone equally. Everyone wants to save the beach, and everyone benefits from its use. As commissioners, you all should be working at bringing us together, not dividing us up. And by the way, you pay your fair share too!
Gail D says
This is an important issue for all of us who live in Flagler County. Most live here because of their love for the ocean and its natural beauty, breezes and the lifestyle we enjoy must be protected.
Whether we live beachside or on the mainland! How to pay for this treasure must be well thought out by our leaders.
My thoughts, fellow beach lovers, is to first tax our visitors who come every weekend, stay in our Airbnb’s, hotels, campgrounds, with a resort tax specifically targeted to go towards beach Re nourishment.
Reduce the funds for advertising and squelch building anything for that type of tourist welcome. We are all online now! Who doesn’t google where to eat or shop or stay? Facebook, Instagram, NextDoor, etc.
A graduated tax on all property owners is necessary as well. But it must be fair, the island can’t afford to pay for it all! Come on, let’s come together and figure this out.
Laurel says
Gail D: I agree with most of what you wrote, but, prove to me that people living east use the beach more than people living west. Just what are the stats on that? Any? All those cars along A1A do not belong to the people who live nearby. We live blocks from the ocean, yet last year we went to the beach twice (in fact, we like other beaches better and often go elsewhere ourselves)? Tell me why we should pay more.
The other thing is, there is a whole lot of folks who live east of A1A who cannot afford a higher fee. A lot of small homes and trailers. Why should they pay more? Why should we pay by social standing? It is the current myth that only wealthy people live on the barrier island, and it is not so. It is only a myth as it is more convenient for some to believe. At the same time, for the few wealthy, why should they be assessed more for beach usage when some may not even use the beach, and they are already assessed in taxes?
The only fair way is to assess everyone equally as every other way is unjustified and prejudicial.
de says
since the whole world seems to be buying up every house on the barrier island and making every house into short term vacation rentals with the owners not even living anywhere near here, just profiting because of the beach, let them pay for keeping the beach renourished, it would just be an expense write off for them. long time residents have paid years of higher taxes, higher expenses and costs living here. we certainly aren’t profiting off the beach…..AND the short term rental houses everywhere are not increasing our property values in any way, they’re a burden and people are not wanting to live full time anywhere near them, it’s a negative on our residential neighborhoods. Are there special interests involved here with our elected officals? because this isn’t what the vision statement of this area has always been and that is a promise that is not being kept.