Flagler County is at risk of losing a $6 million state grant for the planned 2.6-mile beach-reconstruction project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Flagler Beach.
The federal government is $11.3 million of the $17.5 million project. The project is predicated on Flagler County assuming the remaining $6.1 million. Flagler government’s chief engineer, Faith al-Khatib, convinced the Florida Department of Transportation to grant that $6 million, which local coffers could not have afforded.
But state finances are getting upended by the coronavirus emergency. The state grant may not be forthcoming, County Administrator Jerry Cameron warned on Monday.
The public health crisis is diverting large sums of state dollars from previous allocations, and later this spring, the Legislature is expected to meet in special session to rewrite its budget accordingly. “It is absolutely certain that this budget will have to be completely reworked that they just passed, in light of these developments,” Cameron told county commissioners on Monday. “They are going to have to sweep some funds. We don’t know which funds. We’re told that the transportation trust fund would be the last place that they would go to sweep funds, but nevertheless it is a possibility. Should that happen, what would occur is that Flagler County would be exposed to a liability of $6 million, which would severely damage us at this point, because we’re financially weakened, because of the storms, the virus and the economic downturn that we’ve never recovered from completely.”
Also, because the county has maxed out its local taxing authority for the beaches, through the tourism sales surtax, to pay for the dunes-reconstruction project it carried out on 12 miles of beach to repair damage from Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. That revenue is spoken for, and what additional revenue the county expects from its other sales surtax, for capital improvements, is to be spent on the new sheriff’s operations center and a new branch library. It is almost inconceivable that commissioners would approve raising the property tax to pay for a 2.6-mile beach project in Flagler Beach. In sum, they have no other avenue but to ensure that the state makes good on its $6 million pledge.
But Cameron raised the strong possibility that new realities are realigning state priorities, potentially making such projects as beach reconstruction a luxury.
“So we are working with FDOT to try to arrive at some methodology of ensuring that Flagler County would not be subjected to that unfunded liability,” Cameron said. “We’ve made some progress. I was hoping that we’d have that in place by today, but we do not have it in place at this time, and I thought that before we proceed any further with this, the board of county commissioners would need to review their previous decisions in light of these developments.”
Without the local match, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer project cannot go forward. It is the first leg of a 50-year, $100 million project, with the local match growing substantially in subsequent years.
The project is not without its controversies. The Corps is planning a “renourishment” of the beach every 10 to 11 years or so, splitting what is today projected to be a $20 million cost each time. The $20 million is the estimate from two to three years ago, though that estimate had more than doubled, compared to estimates at the beginning of the decade, so by the time the renourishment is due in 10 or 11 years, the cost is almost certain to be closer to $40 million, with Flagler responsible for half.
The county had been hoping for a federal allocation for the first leg of the project for years. That allocation was secured only in 2018, following that year’s federal stimulus package, with no promises that there would be additional allocations for subsequent renourishments. The project has been in the planning stages for a decade and a half, with former County Administrator Craig Coffey driving for it for many years, and at one point planning to use state and local sources of money, without federal money, to get it done. Congress’ 2018 allocation was a surprise that again shifted the project’s course.
The board should continue to authorize Cameron to work with the state transportation department, County Attorney Al Hadeed said, “until we obtain satisfactory assurances that these moneys are immune from that kind of budget shifting, so that we are not placed in an untenable position where we’re going to owe the $6 million to the Army Corps, but have the legislature remove it from the FDOT budget, leaving us on the hook.” Hadeed added: “We have explored a number of alternatives with FDOT. We haven’t gotten back a final answer.”
Cameron on Monday at times sounded like Coffey had at various points in the history of the project’s financial edvolution. “I just think it would be remiss of me if I didn’t bring to the attention of the governing body that the risk factor has shifted,” Cameron told commissioners, “and if you make a decision to proceed, and assume the risk, that’s an informed decision. I just didn’t want something to happen down the road and the board say why wasn’t this brought to our attention.”
Commissioners elected to assume the risk. That means they’ve given direction to Cameron to do what he can to secure the $6 million. But if that fails, the county and its taxpayers are on the hook for the $6 million.
Commission Chairman Dave Sullivan said he was not as worried about the county losing the money. Referring to his reading of a discussion of the budget by Sen. And I did read a fairly detailed discussion on the budget by state Sen. Bill Galvano, president of the Senate, Sullivan said “his feeling was that this year’s budget, the one that’s on the governor’s desk right now, will not be as affected as next year’s budget. So I think we may–who knows: as our county administrator pointed out, things happen. He didn’t indicate that there would be a full rewrite of this year’s budget. That would be very, very difficult if you went back to every line item.”
The questionable $6 million isn’t the only obstacle in the project’s way. County government has been seeking easements from close to 150 beach-front property owners so the Army Corps can do its work seamlessly across the 2.6 miles. It had initial success collecting this easements. The success has stalled, with only 90 easements “received,” 23 “in progress,” and 28 refusals as of now, according to a website the county set up. In some stretches, swaths of beachfront are part of the refuseniks.
Without those easements, the segments of beach in front of property owners who refuse to sign an easement cannot be part of the renourishment project, and would create both an unseemly sight–craters in place of dunes–and engineering black holes that the ocean could fill: non-participating property owners would in effect undermine the whole project’s soundness.
The only public comment on that particular item at Monday’s meeting–which was conducted virtually, through Zoom and the county’s YouTube channel, with each commissioner and staffers at home or at their desks–was from Elizabeth Hathaway, who urged property owners to sign. “Once this project is completed, your property and that of your neighbors will be safer and more valuable. All of us will be able to enjoy a wider, more resilient beach,” she said, in comments that Sullivan read to the commission. “The ocean does not discriminate. If you let it, the ocean will take everything from all of us. Any gap in the dunes will create a weak point that will undermine your neighbors’ dune protection on each side of you. We will be stronger if we are united, facing the storms to come.”
Cameron wanted direction from commissioners on both counts–having authority to continue negotiating with the state agency for the state grant, and proceeding on easements. Commissioners, speaking in turn through Zoom, granted both (though Commissioner Joe Mullins appeared not to have been paying attention: when Sullivan called his name was called, he was not immediately present, and when he returned on screen, he said: “I’m 100 percent, go after this federal money, we need to bring it back to the county, so let’s do it.”)
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Flagmire says
So you can kiss that sweet, sweet state money goodbye. The legislature has already signaled major cuts, its self evident. Only children and fools spend so much time pretending. Here’s a bit of advice, go through your budget and zero out any state aid or grants now and see where you’re at. That’s what a grownup would do. You’re welcome.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Cancel the fancy unnecessary building planned for the airport – fire Sieger; get a real airport manager who knows how to bring in real jet maintenance facilities to our super duper of 7,000 foot runway.. instead of those piss-ass noisy tin cans destroying the quality of life whose homes they fly over,
Make Mori Hosseini pay for every upgrade needed for the Plantation Bay Water System.
Fire Al Hadeed and switch to ‘legal zoom’. saves another $200,000.
Gina Weiss says
ER had to close it’s doors but we still have Phoenix East “noise nuisance” flight school planes soaring loud and low over this community while we are doing our civic duty of social distancing, people out of work trying to cope and support their families without a paycheck. Two phones calls were made: 1) FAA district office in Orlando which was CLOSED. The person in charge was working from home and reports that if it were up to him he would close Phoenix East because at this point they have shown that they are not interested in any community or residents nor their students or instructors and all they ARE interested in is MAKING MONEY! 2) John Bain was called, CEO of Phoenix East, and was unwilling to close the school and give out any further information. Therefore my question to the BOCC to Jerry Cameron, to Roy Sieger is what RIGHT does John Bain have to put the lives of residents, communities, his students, his instructors in danger because of his reckless and irresponsible behavior? And as for the 6 million that FDOT was going to fund Roy Siegers wasteful corporate building, this money can go to the Army Corp of Engineers so this county does not have to go into further debt. As for State and Fed government funding to the airport which allow “noise nuisance” flight schools to operate this money should be used to maintain our small businesses, new Sheriffs headquarters, and for the people who are affected by the pandemic. After all, this was no fault of people who lost their lives, jobs and businesses.
Facepalm says
Your mental gymnastics are making everyone dizzy. Not everything in Flagler county revolves around the airport and your sensitive ears.
Gina Weiss says
Face Palm back at ya: We are well aware of all of the selfish apathetic neighbors in our community, they are the “LEAVE” and “GO HOME” geniuses and the ones lining their pockets and “profiteering” off our backs. ITALIAN SALUTE!
Lance Carroll says
Did you not realize the airport was already where it is when you purchased your property?
Ray Jones says
We need pay parking in the pier area of the beach. Locals don’t Park there. Name a beach anywhere in the state that doesn’t have pay parking. Everyone still goes to all the other beaches. REVENUE!
KLCredeur says
One of the many reasons people love Flagler Beach is because we do Not pay for parking! NOT everyone goes to other beaches. Everyone collectively needs to come up with choices/options for revenue
Surfgod88 says
You have got to be kidding. The property owner letters should have been sent out in parallel with the road construction last year instead of after the fact which is now a big bottleneck. Perhaps the dune re-nourishment would have started on time and thus avoided a funding shortfall. Way to go team! SMH
Lance Carroll says
Seems the funds would be better allocated to the Covid19 crisis. As many of us know, the dunes and A1A have been destroyed by one hurricane in a matter of hours….not to mention the countless weather systems that have chopped away at the dunes sands of Flagler Bch. No amount of dollars will change the power of the ocean’s fury. Lance Carroll
Fredrick says
Gee…. Maybe we call Nancy and get Fed money. She was able to scratch together 25 million or so to give to the Kennedy Center in the midst of a pandemic (not to mention all the other pork the libs pushed into the package). Surely such a brain trust and users of good judgement like Nancy, Schiff and Schumer can scrape together some cash for us.
Shark says
Any moron can tell you that the sand has to be replaced with the same type, not some white play sand that just blows away.
Lance Carroll says
Like sands through the hourglass…..these are the days of our lives.
Don says
Word Up ! Hurricane season this year is expected to be WAY ABOVE NORMAL. Gee, what the hell are they going to do when the first Cat 5 hits Flagler Beach and LEVELS everything east of the intra-coastal waterway ?
KLCredeur says
Once again Mr. Cameron your stance of Money over LIVES rules again is speaking loud and clear! You can’t even get the issue with Airport under control and you have the audacity to say “But Cameron raised the strong possibility that new realities are realigning state priorities, potentially making such projects as beach reconstruction a luxury”
We are in a major pandemic and YOU have blatantly refused to shut down ALL Flight school traffic. But yet expect people to adhere to social distancing – Stay Home and yet Mr. Cameron all day – every day the residents that surround that farse of airport are subjected to constant unacceptable noise levels of touch and goes and fly overs. The airplanes that they sit in are 40 inches wide that is not 6 feet apart and there are 2 people in each Cessna model 172. You need to step up to the plate and STOP putting people at risk. We know you can control this.. but it’s obvious that the FAA Funding and the almighty dollar mean more to you than LIVES!
Gina Weiss says
It’s also FDOT funding which they were to give the airport for the 6 million dollar corporate wasteful building, and for Heaven’s sake it is now 9:21 pm first night of Passover and there are still “noise nuisance” flight school planes soaring over us, all of you-Roy Sieger, Jerry Cameron, BOCC, flight school owners, Mayor Holland, don’t any of you have an ounce of respect for your resident’s in your community, do any of you respect religious Holidays? Aren’t any of you ashamed that people are calling everyone of you out? Mayor Holland you state that this is a county problem, we live in Palm Coast where you are the mayor, and these flight schools are having an adverse effect on your residents who voted for you. Don’t any of you think that it is about time that each of you stop pointing fingers and do something.
Gary R says
In Fantasy Island the planes didn’t bother Tattoo who would run up the main bell tower to ring the bell and shout “The Plane! The Plane!” to announce the arrival of a new set of guests at the beginning of each episode.
deb says
coronavirus, yep it changes everything. Not worried about the airport, as they fly over my home and at least they are not impacting me with a virus, as compared to the grocery stores, drug stores. Get real. And we are worrying about some construction project over trying to save lives. This project was NOT a cure for beach erosion, the sand will still wash out to sea.
Gina Weiss says
Deb: We are the people that the flight schools do affect as we follow the social distancing protocol in the sanctuary of our homes and are deprived of our peace and quiet, its stressful enough as is while having non stop “noise nuisance” tin can planes soaring low and loud over our heads! And FYI we are all impacted by the flight schools with getting the virus. How? Of course not by the planes themselves lets not be foolish as this makes your statement weak. The people who are in these planes are not following the social distancing protocols and they circulate in communities.
deb says
I live right there in Seminole Woods in the U section. That runway , well its “right there”. Also you will have more contact and risk at a grocery store than in a plane or a person that picks up your food for you. I don’t have a clue who is infected at a store , as RUDE people, push people out of the way to get a box of cereal or hamburger meat. And the flight schools are canceled/delayed from the last I heard. The overall majority of those flying are individuals ( by themselves) The only way a person on the ground can catch the virus from a plane up in the sky is if that person on the ground came in contact with a infected person IN A PLANE. And still if you are six feet away you are still safe. And from what I see, these planes flying around are six feet away from your home and mine. They crash well, most burn. And you still are not going to get the virus unless you come intact with that person. .
Gina Weiss says
Deb, again point missed and PEA is STILL FLYING, we factually know this, and there is no social distancing for students or instructors in those small planes and once again they come out of the planes and circulate in our or others communities. Also the 6 feet distancing means a MINIMUM of 6 feet, it is really more than that one should distance themselves, and also we should NEVER have to listen to these tin can planes soaring over our heads let alone during a global pandemic when people are sheltering in place, everyone SHOULD be doing their civic duty. Sorry you are having difficulty in the supermarkets, and lets just hope that one of these flight school planes do not crash and take up very valuable first responders time!
SASHAY AWAY says
OK, well they are all at it today 4/11/20 from 8:00am! Business as usual!
danm50 says
You are not only losing the beaches, your losing the war on coastal flooding. As proven in New Orleans the Army Corp of Engineers cannot fix it. No wall or amount of sand can stop the inevitable. Move the town while there’s still time.