Average teacher pay at the end of last year in Flagler was $48,067. Adjusted for inflation, it represents an 8.5 percent decline compared with pay in 2006. Take-home pay declined further this fall.
Economy
Pointing to Recession, Floridians’ Consumer Confidence Crashes Again to Near-Record Low
The dramatic decline in consumer confidence is just three points shy of 59, the mark set in June 2008, when the nation was in the midst of the Great Recession. Figures released by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
With Pill Mills and “Internet Cafes” in Sight, Palm Coast Prepares Stricter Regulations
The Palm Coast City Council holds little hope for state law to crack down on gambling posing as Internet cafes, which are proliferating in the city, so it’ll regulate them through zoning laws. It’s doing the same for pain clinics, once moratoriums on both types of businesses expire.
A 6% Tax on Bottled Water in Florida: Ormond Beach’s Sen. Lynn Revives Proposal
The bottled-water tax in Florida would pay for repairing environmental damage from trashed plastic. The water industry is opposing Ormond Beach Sen. Evelyn Lynn’s proposal.
Flagler Beach Restaurant Owners Vow To Fight City’s Ban on Dog-Friendly Dining
For years, and with more frequency recently, several Flagler Beach restaurants allowed patrons to bring their dog as long as they sat in outside-dining areas. Commissioners never heard of a problem–until they heard of the state requirement that the city formalize the practice by ordinance, which they killed, 3-2.
Taking Note of Flagler, Gov. Rick Scott Speaks Economics and Listens to Local Leaders
Gov. Rick Scott arrived early at a breakfast meeting with government and business leaders this morning, briefing the group on his business-centered agenda while holding an informal Q&A with the assembly.
Rick Scott’s 2nd Trip to Flagler: More Generous With Chamber Than Firefighters
Gov. Rick Scott will be at the Flagler chamber of commerce for an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting Monday, part of the governor’s ongoing outreach tour to improve his image.
County’s Economic Board Would Exclude Cities and Bank on $400,000 a Year in Tax Dollars
The county commission’s latest direction was surprising and divided, as a 3-2 majority settled on an economic development board with just one government represented–the county–and eight seats filled by business representatives with economic development experience.
Palm Coast Data Lays Off 18 More, This Time in Magazine Customer Service
The Palm Coast Data layoffs are the latest in a string of job losses that have struck the company’s warehouse, membership services, IT and management.
Tourism Council Approves $800,000 Budget Over Objection to Exec’s 7.7% Raise
The publicly funded tourism council approved a 7.7 percent raise for the Flagler Chamber of Commerce’s VP for tourism and the council’s administrative head, and 6 percent raises for two staff members. The Flagler County Commission must give final approval.
Coalition of Cities Meets in Wake of One Agency’s Death and Its Own Uncertain Life
The Flagler County Coalition of Cities held its second meeting only for its Flagler Beach, Bunnell and Beverly Beach members to confirm what’s already known: that much remains unknown about the future of the county’s plan to fight unemployment.
Taxes, the Economy, the Stimulus: Separating Fiction from Fact
Answers to recurring questions of the day: what’s the state of the economy, are Americans really as overtaxed as they think they are, and what has the 2009 economic stimulus accomplished–or not?
Erik Olson Adds Surgical Implants to Palm Coast’s Dental Associates Offerings
Palm Coast Dental Associates: Erik J. Olson’s graduated from a one-year Misch International Implant Institute course enables him to add surgical implants to Dental Associates’ services. The office previously was limited to restoring implants.
Sheriff Fleming on Palm Coast and Bunnell Gambling Halls: “I Have Bigger Fish To Fry”
Sheriff Don Fleming’s stance on internet cafes and other such gambling halls has wide implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, both of which are wrestling with ordinances that would regulate the establishments.
Flagler Unemployment Flat at 14.7%, Florida’s Also Stalled at 10.7%
Flagler County’s unemployment rate in July was unchanged from June’s revised 14.7 percent (last month’s original rate was 14.6 percent). Florida’s unemployment rate also stalled at 10.7 percent, with 987,000 Floridians out of work.
Enterprise Flagler Is No More
After 11 years, Enterprise Flagler voted unanimously on Thursday to disband, a vote reflecting resignation to financial realities (Palm Coast and Flagler County are no longer funding the agency) rather than enthusiasm from Enterprise Flagler members. There is no clear plan in place to replace the agency’s work.
The Down Side of Fuel Efficiency: Florida Governments Will Take a $5 Billion Hit
As the Obama administration seeks to double average fuel efficiency by 2025, State and local government revenue dependent on gas taxes will see big declines in revenue that pays for roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Bowing to Public Pressure, Palm Coast Opts for Bidding Out Trash Hauling Contract
Citing an epiphany in the shower, Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon reversed his recommendation to negotiate an garbage-contract extension with Waste Pro. The city will open up the process through a broader request for proposals.
In a Case With Implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, Polk Sheriff Shuts Down Internet Cafe
The Internet cafe–or gambling parlor–shut down in Davenport Monday is similar to those in Palm Coast and Bunnell, where local officials and residents are debating whether and how to regulate (or ban) the businesses.
Trash Flips: Waste Pro Lobbies Another County To Go to Bids While Urging Palm Coast Not To
Waste Pro wants to keep the $7-million-a-year garbage hauling in contract in Palm Coast, so it’s opposing a bidding process, but it’s arguing the exact opposite in Hillsborough County, where it’s hoping to win the contract.
Publix and Winn-Dixie Recall Ground Beef Sold in Flagler and St. Johns Over E. Coli Alert
The E. coli-contaminated ground chuck was produced by a Dodge City, Kansas-based meat packer and distributed to Publix and Winn-Dixie. Publix stores in four states and 17 Florida counties are affected.
UF Survey: Political Acrimony and Economic Ills Hurt Real Estate’s Outlook in Florida
The University of Florida’s quarterly Survey of Emerging Market Conditions concludes that economic and political worries are holding back spending, except by foreigners. Tourism is the state’s strongest bright sport.
When Income Was Taxed at 94%: How FDR Tackled Debt and Reckless Republicans
The last time the nation faced war debts Franklin Roosevelt didn’t hesitate to raise taxes and show up Republicans who stood in the way of fiscal responsibility, argues Sam Pizzigati.
Health Care Reform Ruling: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 Decision
Full text of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 ruling on Aug. 12, 2011 overturning parts of the Obama administration’s health care reform law, in a case from Florida.
From Federally Owned Foreclosed Homes To Rental Properties: Can It Work?
Government-owned foreclosures as rental property investments: The government is looking for win-win solutions for taxpayers, renters, investors and neighborhoods, but there’s plenty of skepticism about the foreclosure-to-rental concept.
In a Florida Case, 2nd U.S. Appeals Court To Rule on Health Law Strikes It Down (It’s Now 1-1)
A divided panel of the conservative 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, in a case from Florida, ruled health reform unconstitutional, saying it is “unprecedented, lacks cognizable limits and imperils our federalist structure.”
I Love Waste Pro. But.
To my 7-year-old son, Waste Pro’s twice-weekly pickups are a sacred, joyful ritual made more so by Waste Pro’s thoughtful workers. That doesn’t mean Palm Coast should shirk its responsibilities to residents when it comes to bidding out a new garbage contract.
To Ward Off Senility, Make That Bed: UF Researchers’ Advice to the Medicare Generation
University of Florida researchers have used laboratory-based methods to objectively measure the amount of energy older adults use up as they go about their daily activities. Activity means less senility.
Like Palm Coast, Bunnell Wrestles With Gambling Posing as Games–and Punts
Some define internet cafes as gambling. Some define it as business. Some define it as nobody’s business but their own. A 3-2 vote of the Bunnell City Commission sent the matter to the sheriff with a question: if it’s gambling, would he arrest its practitioners?
Why Palm Coast Doesn’t Want To Lower Your $239 Garbage Rate and Bid Out the Contract
Palm Coast skims off $700,000 from its annual $7 million contract with Waste Pro. Cheaper garbage rates for customers means less money for the city, which is partly why the city is resisting bidding out the contract.
Reminder: Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide
Florida’s Tax Free Days, or sales tax holiday, is scheduled this year for August 12 through August 14. The sales tax exemption applies to clothing and school supplies. A complete guide.
Palm Coast to Raise Tax Rate 14% and Eliminate Stormwater Cost Exemption for Many
Most city services and jobs are protected in a proposed budget that will raise taxes enough to bring in almost as much revenue next year as it did this year, with shifts in sales tax dollars to subsidize the general revenue fund.
When France Has a Better Credit Rating Than the United States
What does it mean to the United States when France and Britain are considered safer destinations for investors by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor? It shouldn’t mean much. But it’s not always about what’s rational.
A Divided County Commission Votes 3-2 To End Support for Enterprise Flagler
Alan Peterson, Nate McLaughlin and Milissa Holland agreed to end support for Enterprise Flagler after David Ottati, the agency’s president, made his pitch for an up-or-down vote.
As Proposed County Budget Kills Enterprise Flagler, Ottati Asks for Up Or Down Vote
Mired in disarray, economic development’s future in Flagler County is mobilizing around two competing plans–the county’s and enterprise Flagler’s–with Enterprise Flagler asking for a vote and Palm Coast still sitting it all out.
Florida’s Nuclear Energy Scamming: It’s Not Rickover’s Atomic Power Program Anymore
Customers should not have to pay decades ahead of time for Florida Power & Light’s and Progress Energy’s future nuclear power plans, especially when they may not be built, argues Darrell Smith.
FPL and Progress Energy Again Asking To Pass Along Ghost-Nuke Plant Costs
Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida are seeking to pass along about $335 million in nuclear costs to customers next year, largely to cover costs of nuclear plants that won’t be built for 10 years or more.
Kisses, Spoofs, Puns and Rap Run Wild in Repertory Theatre’s Shakespearean Vaudeville
Director John Sbordone’s first workshop production this weekend at the Repertory Theatre’s stage, at Hollingsworth Gallery, dares grope where no Shakespeare has versed before. It’s high-energy hilarity.
Fact Check: The Economy By the Numbers
A sobering look at the real economy’s numbers broken down in easy-to-chew bullet points, from national to local numbers. Spam can not included.
Less Dire Than Feared: Economy Adds 117,000 Jobs, Unemployment Falls to 9.1%
Defying expectations, the national economy added 117,000 jobs in July. Figures for May and June were revised upward to add 56,000 jobs to those two months’ totals, and the overall unemployment rate fell back to 9.1 percent, from 9.2.
Florida Hospital Flagler’s David Ottati Is Among Northeast’s Ultimate CEO Award Winners
The Jacksonville Business Journal’s fifth annual Ultimate CEO Award drew some 40 nominations from northeast Florida. Ottati, Florida Hospital Flagler’s CEO for the past five years, was among 13 winners.
Public Money, Public Purpose, Closed Doors: Enterprise Flagler and Chamber Carry On
In a closed-door session, the Flagler Chamber of Commerce is hosting a delegation from Enterprise Flagler today to discuss economic development plans that would be publicly funded and publicly governed.
Palm Coast Council Shocked, Shocked To Hear It Ever Had $10 Million for City Hall
The Palm Coast city administration now says that it never had $10 million to build a city hall. The copious record on the matter says otherwise, raising questions about the city’s numbers and verbal shell games.
Condo No-Go: Florida Cabinet Sides With Flagler County Over Hammock Dunes
In a victory for Flagler County, the Florida Cabinet unanimously approved a judge’s order that blocks Ginn-Lubert Adler’s plan to build an oceanfront condominium and hotel at Hammock Dunes, near the 16th Road public park and beach.
Hammock Dunes Showdown: Flagler and Developer Battle Before Florida Cabinet
Ginn-Lubert Adler and investors want to build a 77-foot hotel and significantly increase the residential density in an area adjoining the public beach by 16th Rd. in the Hammock. Flagler County is opposed. The two sides are arguing their case before the Florida Cabinet today.
Palm Coast Data CEO John Meneough Resigns After 15 Years As Company Struggles
John Meneough, 62, had been with Palm Coast Data in its various incarnations since 1996. A successor has not been named. Meneough’s resignation is part of broader changes at Palm Coast Data parent Amrep Corp.
Palm Coast’s Fireworks, Canceled on July 4, Are Now Leveraged Over 3 Fall Dates
The $15,000 subsidy to Palm Coast will be split over fireworks shows on Labor Day and the two evenings of the city’s seafood festival in early November.
Public Employees Retire in Droves as Florida Pension System Narrows Incentives to Work
About 10,100 people chose to enter retirement or exited the state’s deferred retirement plan ahead of new laws kicking in on July 1, an increase of more than 900 people from the same time last year.
GMAC Mortgage Machination: Don’t Have Document to Foreclose? Make It Up
When GMAC, one of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers, sought to foreclose on a homeowner last year and lacked a crucial document, the company just made one up, pointing to a pattern of deceptive filings to foreclose on homeowners.
With or Without Palm Coast, County Would Lead New Economic Development Council
The county’s proposal would mean the end of Enterprise Flagler and the creation of a 9-member council chaired by the county, with cities and private-sector membership overseeing a $410,000 budget. Palm Coast’s buy in is a question mark.