Local governments will get to decide how and where to grwo with little or no interference from the state growth-management regulators, whose role is now severely limited.
Economy
Synchro Belles Prepare to Defend State Title For 6th Year in a Row with Sunday Exhibit
The Flagler County Synchro Belles, established in 2000, have been reigning state champions since 2006. The 32 girls, ages 9-18, will put on a two-hour exhibition at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club Sunday evening.
Counterpunch: Priceline and Travelocity Sue Over Tourist-Development Bed Taxes
The case is of interest to Flagler, whose Tourist Development Council has been aggressively pursuing avenues, including a lawsuit of its own, to compel online companies to pay their fair share of sales and bed taxes.
Early Bette Midler, Men Painting Men, Sondheim’s Forum: Culture Worth the Miles
120 competitors ages 10 to 22 at the World Ballet Competition at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, Men painting Men at the new Gateway Center in DeBary, early Bete Midler, ageless Stephen Sondheim.
Palm Coast Looking to Other Cities for Guidance on Storefront Gambling Regulations
The Palm Coast City Council is all for stopping new storefront casino-type “internet cafes” for six months, but is less clear on whether, and how, to regulate them beyond that.
As Palm Coast Talks Development, Housing Prices Hit New Low, Falling 4.2% in 1Q
Housing prices fell to levels not seen since 2002 as double-dipping prices hit new recession lows. Meanwhile, the Palm Coast City Council discussed approval of a plan that would add 12,000 housing units to the local hosing stock.
Eying Jobs and Tourism Dollars, Orlando Ready to Build $274 Million Arts Center
Arts columnist Josh Garrick appraises the value of Orlando’s Philips Center for the Performing Arts–stalled for four years, now scheduled to open in 37 months with two stages, and a third at a later date.
Flagler Beach Eyes Reserves and
More Taxes to Make Up Latest Revenue Loss
Flagler Beach has raised taxes for three successive years to make up for falling revenue from collapsing property values. It has a relatively large $3 million reserve, which it will likely use in combination with another tax hike to balance next year’s budget.
Facing $6 Million Hit, County Begins Long Budget Season as Tax Hike Appears Inevitable
County commissioners are unlikely to elicit sympathy from taxpayers—or from employees facing a 3 percent pay cut from new retirement-contribution requirements, and a third year without raises.
In a Shift, and Despite Glut, State Approves 5,000-Home Palm Coast Development
Old Brick Township to Palm Coast’s northwest is just one of several planned developments and existing lots that would add 40,000 new homes and 9 million square feet of commercial and industrial zones, more than doubling Flagler’s and Palm Coast’s populations.