Both cities’ incumbents and one challenger in each have qualified–Marshall Shupe, Kim Carney and Paul Eik in Flagler Beach, Bonita Robinson, John Rogers and John Sowell in Bunnell, with two seats in play in each government.
Bunnell City Commission
Why Is the County Chairman Meddling in Flagler Beach’s Business, and Why Was Flagler Beach’s Manager Job-Hunting in Bunnell?
Flagler Beach officials were perplexed and angered by County Commission Chairman Nate McLaughlin’s apparent interference in their city manager’s–and their city’s–business at a time when county and city are trying to work out difficult issues.
Craig Coffey, Jim Landon, Now Dan Davis: For 3rd Time in 2 Years, Top Manager’s Raise Request Is Rebuffed
Bunnell’s Dan Davis this week joined Palm Coast’s Jim Landon and Flagler’s Craig Coffey, all of whose elected boards rejected their raise requests in the past two years, though Davis and Coffey still got smaller raises.
Bunnell Manager Dan Davis Gets Mixed Reviews on 1st Evaluation, With Concerns About Communication
Depending on which of the Bunnell City Commission’s members you ask, City Manager Dan Davis is doing either an outstanding job, a satisfactory job, or a job that needs improvement.
Bunnell Fire Chief Derek Fraser Will Resign, Reviving Talk of Department’s Future
Derek Fraser worked for Bunnell for 25 years, nine of them as fire chief. In August he was put out for having to defend his job and his department before the city commission. A commissioner’s proposal to abolish the fire department is still on the table.
Help With Beach Recovery and an Additional County Judge Dominate Requests to Flagler’s Lawmakers
Post-Hurricane Matthew recovery occupied almost half the requests at the annual legislative delegation meeting Wednesday, when Flagler’s governments, non-profits, private associations and citizens submit wish lists to state lawmakers.
Flagler Beach and Bunnell Will Have Contested City Elections in March as 2 Challengers Qualify
Flagler Beach incumbents Marshal Shupe and Kim Carney have drawn Paul Eik as an opponent. In Bunnell, John Sowell, a former pilot for Flagler County Fire Flight, will challenge incumbents Bonita Robinson and John Rogers.
With an Election Looming, Bunnell Commission Rebuffs Request to Raise Its Salaries Back Up
Commissioner Bill Baxley’s proposal to raise salaries cut in 2014 back up to $9,600 a year got no support from a commission with two members–John Rogers and Bonita Robinson–running for re-election in March.
Boil-Water Advisory In Bunnell as Water Plant Has a Problem For 3rd Time in 2 Months
Overnight Sunday, the water plant shut down again for about half an hour, the water pressure in pipes fell from 60 pounds per square inch to below 22 pounds, some customers may have gone without water for a while.
Bunnell Police Will Borrow $70,000 From Its Utility to Buy 2 Cop Cars as Department Grows
The city will borrow $70,400 from its own water and sewer fund, buy two patrol cars from a Polk County dealer and repay the fund over five years from the general fund, at 1.5 percent interest.
Taxes Will Stay Flat For Most Property Owners in Flagler and Its Cities in 2017
Taxes have increased in Flagler County and in all five cities, but will be largely offset by a tax decrease in school taxes, while values have increased only marginally.
For Bunnell’s Tucker, Sharp Loss on Firehouse Consolidation Signals Return to Minority
Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker’s proposal to fold the Bunnell Fire Department into the county and shift savings to the city’s police department was rebuked Monday, and Tucker’s role on the commission appears to return to where it had been years ago: as a dissenter.
Bunnell Commission Honors Two Boys, 10 And 12, For Helping Save 88-Year-Old Woman
The Bunnell City Commission Monday evening awarded its Outstanding Citizen Award to two young city residents, Russell Rouson, 10, and Steven Dozier, 12, for alerting police and helping to save the life of an 88-year-old woman who had hurt herself in her home in June.
Bunnell’s Tucker Upsets Colleagues With Surprise Bid to Merge Fire Department With County
Previously Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker wanted to dissolve the city’s police department to save money. Now he wants to dissolve the volunteer fire department and shift savings to add a police officer. The commission is not enthusiastic.
Flagler’s Pot De-Criminalization Proposal Wilts, But Narrower Version Still Possible
A work group meeting Tuesday to craft an ordinance raised more questions and objections than showed agreement, though the proposal is still moving forward in a much narrower version, and has many hurdles yet to cross.
Flagler Takes 1st Step To Pot Decriminalization With Broad Agreement on Principle, Less So on Details
All of Flagler’s major law enforcement and government agencies agree that marijuana decriminalization for first-time offenders is a good idea. The county next will develop an ordinance all can agree on. That step may be more difficult.
Bill Baxley and Elbert Tucker Win Big in Bunnell, Trump and Clinton Win Flagler and Florida
There were ballot problems in one precinct in Palm Coast, where voters were handed the Bunnell ballot, but not in large enough numbers to alter the results.
Three Vying for 2 Seats on Bunnell Commission Take On Policing, Code Enforcement and Pot
Incumbents Bill Baxley and Elbert Tucker and challenger Jan Reeger appeared Monday in the only candidate forum ahead of the March 15 election, responding to a range of questions that showed them more in agreement than in opposition.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell Candidate Forum, Early Primary Voting, Louis CK and Beck On Heil Trump
Early voting for the presidential primary continues in Flagler at three polling sites, the three Bunnell City Commission candidates vying for two seats in their March election are in their only forum this evening, and Louis CK and Glenn Beck each call Trump Hitler.
Citing Home Rule, Bunnell Opposes State Move Forcing Cities to Alter Election Schedules
Voter turnout in Bunnell city elections has been notoriously low. A state proposal aims to change that by forcing cities like Bunnell to adopt different election schedules. The Bunnell City Commission is opposed.
Bunnell Mayor Robinson Again Re-Elected Unopposed; 3 Vie for 2 Commission Seats
Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson was reelected without opposition for the third straight time. Incumbents Elbert Tucker and Bill Baxley will be joined by Jan Reeger for the March 15 contest. Two of the three will win election.
A Beloved 85-Year-Old House on East Moody Is Leveled in Heap of Surprise and Consternation
The demolition of the stately house at 401 East Moody Blvd. in Bunnell Monday shocked many, but time had run out after more than two years of warnings by the owner that he wanted the property cleared.
It’s Finally Safe to Drink the Water in Bunnell as City Marks Opening of $4.8 Million Plant
Bunnell city government on Wednesday commemorated the opening of a water plant that ends a difficult and expensive journey for the city, from deficits and dirty water to clean water.
Municipal Elections for 3 Flagler Cities To Be Held on Presidential Primary Day, March 15
The municipal elections for Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach will be held in conjunction with the county-wide Presidential Preference Primary election scheduled for March 15 to save money and encourage more turnout.
Ex-Clerk Dan Davis Is Appointed City Manager in Bunnell in 3-2 Vote, Ending Swift Course
The Bunnell city commission took less than a month from the time Larry Williams announced his resignation, looking internally and choosing from three candidates. Davis had been the deputy clerk after a much-publicized angry resignation two and a half years ago.
Bizarre Bunnell: Manager, Not Commission, Conducts Interviews of Davis, Gurnee and Tiblier
Candidates Dan Davis, Stella Gurnee and Ferdinand Tiblier were interviewed by Manager Larry Williams in a bizarre turn that did not involve Bunnell city commissioners.
Bunnell City Manager’s Job Draws 3 Internal Applicants; Interviews Set Wednesday
Deputy City Clerk Dan Davis, Finance Director Stella Gurnee, and City Engineer Ferdinand Tiblier will be interviewed in an open meeting Wednesday evening, when the Bunnell City Commission could make a decision on its next manager.
Splits Limited to Details as Bunnell Sets Next Manager’s Pay Range and Qualifications
The city manager’s position will go for a salary range of $65,000 to $80,000, internal applicants will get a week’s head start, there will be no interim for now, and a four-year degree is required, thus closing the way to several potential internal or previous applicants.
Setting Special Meeting, Bunnell May Haggle Over Next Manager’s Pay and Qualifications
There is some division within the Bunnell commission over the qualifications of the next manager and whether to appoint an interim meanwhile, risking the commission’s hard-won cohesion of the past year.
At Sevyn, Bunnell’s Newest Night Club, A Playlist of Art, Music, Billiards and BBQ
At Sevyn, the new nightclub at the Palm Coast-Bunnell line on State Road 100, live jazz, live blues, open mic nights, Latin music dancing and R&B all mix night after night with art, pool tables and chef Dan Testa’s delights.
Bunnell Thanks Its Surprisingly Departing Manager Then Hurries to Shop For One Before Christmas
Commissioners dismissed an attempt to delay a broader search for an applicant and give internal candidates a chance, saying internal applicants can send in their resumes just like everyone else.
County’s Closest Likeness to Homeless Shelter Scales Back Services and Access to Grounds
For eight years First United Methodist Church in Bunnell had been an unofficial day shelter for the homeless. The church’s new leadership is changing that as finances and a different philosophy is compelling a more restrictive approach.
Shocking Commissioners, Bunnell Manager Larry Williams Resigns, Saying His Job is Done
Two years after he was hired , Larry Williams announced his resignation effective in 60 days, saying he’d accomplished all he wanted to and that he’d lost the adrenaline rush even though the city and the commission are working smoothly.
In Muted Appearance at Sheriff’s Opening, Gov. Scott Speaks of Unappreciated Police
Scott, his energy more Carsonesque than usual was as if upstaged by the pride and eagerness of local officials reveling in the new operations center and framing the occasion in touching personal stories.
Businesses Rebel Against Plan to Shift Overdue Utility Bills from Tenants to Landlords
A rebellion among business owners in Bunnell stopped the city cold from implementing a controversial and unusual plan that would have allowed the city to shift the responsibility for utility bills from tenants to landlords.
In Plantation Bay, 1,600 Customers Are Stuck Between Cruddy Water and Cruddier Bills
As Flagler government fully acquires the Plantation bay utility from Bunnell, residents have seen water bills more than double, and may see further rate increases yet if the shoddy water plant is to be improved.
Christian Recovery House for Addicts Wins Legal Battle, Costing Bunnell $500,000
The settlement agreement after an 18-month fight clears the way for Open Door Ministry to run a 12-bed residential program for drug and alcohol addicts on East Booe Street in Bunnell.
Offered a Chance at a Small Pay Raise, Split Bunnell Commissioners Decline
In 2014 Bunnell commissioners took a 10% pay cut. Monday they could have raised their pay back up 3.8%. A 2-2 vote meant the proposal failed, with Mayor Catherine Robinson and Commissioner Elbert Tucker voting against the raise.
“Security” Gains Ridiculed as Bunnell Agrees To 1-Way Traffic in Front of Sheriff’s New HQ
“You can still buy fertilizer, you can still buy diesel fuel, you can still rent a truck,” Commissioner Tucker said, evoking the ease of blowing up buildings.
Nearly Condemned, Old Courthouse in Bunnell Gavels Back to Life as Christian School
First Baptist Christian Academy opened its doors today before throngs of celebrants marking the rejuvenation of the old county courthouse, now as a viable business in the heart of Bunnell.
County and Bunnell Join Schools and Palm Coast’s Higher Taxes, Flagler Beach Holds Line
The tax increases are generating almost no opposition, in large part because they are tied to benefits taxpayers can see: raises for teachers and cops, additions of firefighters (three this year at the county, three more next year), restoring reserves decimated during the recession, and so on.
Hurricane, Terrorism, Evacuations: In Flagler Emergencies, These Are The People Who Hold Your Fate In Their Hands
The Flagler County Executive Policy Group is the most powerful local government panel you’ve never heard of, and its members make all key decisions in natural or man-made emergencies. They practiced this morning.
Bunnell Joins County in Big-Debt Refinancing Trend, Saving Large Amounts
By cutting its financing costs by almost half, Bunnell will save $600,000 on two loans dating back to the 1990s. County government similarly saved millions by refinancing loans for the courthouse and the Government Services Building.
Police Badge More Than “Just a Trinket Or Souvenir”: Sheriff and Bunnell Deny Ex-Cop
When David Barbee, who’d worked with the Flagler sheriff’s office and the Bunnell Police Department for a badge and retirement ID–though he did not retire from either agency–he was denied from both agencies. He is protesting the decision to the Bunnell commission tonight.
No Racism Here: EEOC Dismisses Ex-City Manager Martinez’s Complaint Against Bunnell
Armando Martinez alleged that Bunnell ended his contract in 2013 because it didn’t want a Hispanic individual in that position. He has until mid-June to file a lawsuit against the city.
As Bunnell Cancels Christmas and Potato Festival, Private Group Aims to Save Both
Bunnell cancelled all special events to close a $1 million deficit, and the Flagler Chamber is unable to run the annual Potato Festival, but Mari Molina of Flagler Cats says she is organizing a group of private concerns and volunteers to take over the festival and re-name it the Bunnell Agricultural Festival.
Welcome Home, Bunnell: City Celebrates Its New Digs After Five Years’ Squatting
The four-building, $600,000 Bunnell City Hall complex has more space than the city knows what to do with, but acquired at a tenth the price it might have had to pay had it moved into the old county courthouse.
Citing Racism, Ex-Manager Armando Martinez Files Discrimination Charge Against Bunnell
Armando Martinez charges that when Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker spoke of not wanting another manager from Miami, he was discriminating against Martinez’s Cuban heritage. Tucker says he was merely opposing hiring another big-city manager.
Flagler’s Constitutional Officers, With Combined Salaries of $1 Million, Get 0.4% Bump
When the $140,406 in salaries to city elected officials is added to the figure, the combined total, for elected officials in Flagler County, stands at $1.13 million for the coming year, not including benefits.
Bunnell Eliminates 40% Of Police Department as Part of Wider Cost-Cuts and Lay-Offs
Seeking to cut an $800,000 deficit that represents a fifth of the city’s budget, the Bunnell City Commission Monday cut its commission salaries by 10 percent, eliminated its grants department and laid off staff that have been mainstays of the Bunnell administration and police department over the years.