The half-cent sales tax increase the county administration proposed to pay for the long-term management and preservation of Flagler County’s 18 miles of beaches died today after weeks of comatose uncertainty. Commissioners Kim Carney and Pam Richardson summarily killed it.
With that death went any chance Palm Coast and Bunnell will get some of the additional revenue the new tax would have generated. For Palm Coast, that would have amounted to $2.7 million in the first year, growing after that.
The 18-mile beach-management plan itself may not be dead. At least the sales tax’s executioners don’t think it is. Carney moved for the commission to workshop a deep dive into the management and funding plan with alternatives to the sales tax that would generate the $12 million a year necessary to pay for beach maintenance.
How that money will be generated without a sales tax increase is anybody’s guess. Commissioners will not raise the property or any other tax to generate it. The tourist tax doesn’t generate anywhere near the needed revenue beyond what it is already contributing to the plan. Barrier island residents are grumbling about a special taxing district that would generate only some of the revenue, and mainland residents have rejected a previous plan to tax them, when the sales tax was not on the table.
Carney insisted today that she was not rejecting the 18-mile plan, and spoke as if convinced that the necessary money can be generated to make it work. “I’m not workshopping this Andy anymore,” she told Andy Dance, the commission chair, apparently referring to the sales tax, only to ask for a workshop.
She asked the commission “to develop and implement a beach funding plan, including all 18 miles, and eliminating the half-cent sales tax,” in her words. “I would like this Board of County Commissioners to have a workshop totally dedicated to the beach Management slash funding plan, with a facilitator and subject matter experts.” And no sales tax on the table.
Commissioners Greg Hansen and Dance have had those deep dives. The $114 million plan County Administrator Heidi Petito crafted at their direction, including the sales tax increase, was the result. Flagler Beach embraced it, aware that it is its only hope of ensuring that the Army Corps of Engineers’ renourishment project can continue over the next decades, with the needed 50 percent local match every time sands are added to the shore.
Absent a sales tax increase, Hansen told Carney and Richardson, maintaining projects of that size are not possible, and cuts would be devastating.
“If you want her to figure out where that money is coming from, we have to give her some guidance on what to do,” Hansen told them, referring to Petito. “So we should tell her, you have the authority to come to us with a plan that cuts programs, cuts people, and eliminates jobs, because that’s what’s going to take, by the way.” Otherwise, he said, “she’s going to come back with the same numbers.”
If the administration were to generate the needed savings of several million dollars, however, those would be one-time savings that could not be replicated the following year. The plan, however, requires recurring revenue.
Four county commissioners had supported the plan in early March, including Carney and Richardson. That supermajority of four would have been the needed margin if the commission were to enact the new tax. But within weeks Carney, soon joined by Richardson, withdrew support.
They became staunch opponents of a new sales tax, saying they’d asked Petito for alternatives since March but got none (and offered none that would be viable). Today, they said they weren’t on the commission through earlier workshops when the basis for the plan was developed. They wanted their own. And they wanted a plan without a sales tax increase attached.
“No half-cent sales tax will be my stance today, and always,” Richardson said, pushing for a vote to that effect. Commission rules foreclose on a vote on items not on the agenda. Citing alternatives to the sales tax, Richardson thought gas-tax revenue a “viable” option. But it is not. Gas tax revenue may not be spent on initiatives not directly related to transportation.
Richardson today became the first commissioner to vote against the county’s emergency proclamation extending the state of local emergency due to dune erosion. The commission had unanimously renewed that proclamation since 2016. Richardson’s vote was materially meaningless, but symbolically shocking. (Monday evening, Richardson in a phone call said she had not meant to vote against the emergency proclamation, and had been intending to vote against the sales tax only, had that vote been called.)
Dance, who has tried to be the management plan’s Capt. Sully, chose not to battle the defeat of the sales tax so much as to take heart in the door Carney was opening.
“If we do a pause to be able to properly review what we’ve done, educate the public, and go back to looking at different funding options, all of this is fine. My goal is to get to an end game, like you said, that covers the 18 miles.” It will delay the initiative further, but he doesn’t mind as long as the 18-mile goal remains.
But Carney wouldn’t let him forget: “The funding option should not include a half cent sales tax,” Carney said.
“Got it,” Dance said.
Carney was bothered by the way her shifting stances have been portrayed on social media. “I’m ready to do my job, unlike what social media posts are saying, I am ready to make the tough decisions,” she said. “I don’t have what I want. If you would like me to tell you what that is in a workshop, I want the workshop to be totally dedicated to the beach, with an educational component for all of us, presented by subject matter experts.” She said County Administrator Heidi Petito can “participate,” but she wants engineering experts, and funding options. “And one of those options is not the half-cent sales tax.”
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Well you all know who you Voted for with the same results.
Joe D says
Wow….how shortsighted…..and SAD!
The County is essentially shooting itself in the foot. As has been said over and over (and OVER) again. The number 1 draw to Flagler County is the beach, and tourist beach related activities!
No one WANTS to spend more money than they HAVE to, however, it’s kind of like ignoring the maintenance on your car…it will EVENTUALLY BREAK DOWN. In the world of autos, you could always buy another (if you have the money that is)….but in this case there is no NEW BEACH STORE!!!
The Army Corp of Engineers is “kind of “ a new beach store, but they want 50% down payment.
Ms Carney wants new alternatives to the 1/2 cent sales tax increase ( a large percentage of which would be paid by the BEACH TOURISTS we would be losing, if the beach is not maintained. There simply isn’t $12 million of “fat that can be cut from the Flagler County budget ( not in reasonable staffing cuts, not in public safety expenses, and not in other projects). A very WORKABLE PLAN was already presented to the County Commission. Well thought out, fairly spread out, so there would be graduated levels of financial responsibility. But….that doesn’t work for the majority of the current County Commission.
I again request (if anyone can produce factual numbers) exactly how much money the beach, beach area establishments, jobs, hotel tax, short term rental tax produce for the County?
Because without renourishment, that’s the income that will FOREVER be destroyed after the next storm
No amount of Workshops ARE HOING TO CHANGE THOSE FACTS
RTC says
We made an awful mistake voting to put Carney and Richardson on the County Commission. They have caused this issue to be talked to death while disaster is pending for our County’s beaches. Do they really think there is a less painful way to generate the necessary funds on an annual recurring basis than a 1/2 cent sales tax increase? Do they think the County can cut its expenses every year to generate the needed funds? Do they want part of Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach, along with part of A1A to drop into the ocean? Do they want our tourist revenue to disappear? We are stuck with them for four years; hopefully we will still have a beach when we get a chance to vote them off the Board.
Kat says
People move here for the climate and proximity to the beach. No beach is permanent, but for tens of thousands of years, humans have gravitated to living along waterfront property, including the beach. That is not going to change and we are never going to be able to control Mother Nature or change human nature. So we have to find a way to preserve what we can and I’m not just talking about a singular property, I’m talking about the entire community and county. Even if you don’t utilize the Beach, your property value is greatly affected by whether it exists or not. Just where do commissioners Richardson and Carney think that the recurring $12 million is going to come from? Are there golden geese somewhere in the county that nobody knows about? I am completely in favor of the half cent sales tax, it spreads the responsibility across-the-board to people who both live here and visit here. And it is fiscally irresponsible to throw away the Army Corps work to date as well as what they have promised us in the future. I know we keep pouring million of dollars into sand, but until some engineer comes up with an alternative, that’s what we have and it’s crazy that this county went through hoops for years to get the project and now they’re just going to let it go to waste.
PalmCompton says says
That’s it cut cut cut. Cut programs and personnel. You elected officials are an embarrassment. Moral is already bad at the county so let’s really screw the people. What will you do when times are good and you want those people back. No wonder people are leaving for other jobs in other county governments. The County will definitely move down the list that Richardson provided on best places to work in Flagler County.
Frustrated in The Hammock says
What incompetence!!! Carney is an ego-driven blow hard who is mean and gets nothing done. It’s easy to say no new 1/2 cent sales tax but not come up with any ideas herself. No new 1/2 cent sales tax but would consider supporting other taxes like gas?
Add to that the lack of intelligence of Richardson (How many times does she have to say I don’t understand). She doesn’t understand the issues, adds no new ideas herself and shows herself to have a general lack of understanding of how things work.
This council would be so much better off if O’Brien and Sullivan would have stayed on the council and run again. This council has so much incompetence, all driven by Carney and Richardson. If they are going to not ever offer any suggestions, here is one for you, resign and allow someone who will get things done to take your place…..the sooner the better!
R.S. says
A sales tax–as a tariff–is essentially regressive taxation, which essentially asks the poor to take on the lion’s share of the cost. A progressive tax would up the property taxes of beachfront properties, people who would benefit most from enhanced preservation of beaches. But Republicans think for the rich. So there you have it: make ’em pay, but keep ’em out. Plutocracy at work!
Tadpole says
So if A1A is destroyed by a storm,
How is taking from the gas tax not apply?
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
One alternative is to build a ferry from the mainland to the pier that they’re about to rebuild so when flagler beach is washed away due to their negligence people can visit the pier standing by itself out in the ocean and reminisce about what could have been
Here hold my beer..... says
They, the previous board including Hansen knew about the cost of this project. 8 years ago. It was never taken seriously until now. During that time the built a new Sheriffs office, add on to the airport and and built a library. All these we taken from the general tax based fund. Yes, there were some grants but my point is they knew it especially the County Administrator Petito, who shifts money around all the time for her pet projects like the library.
The bullies on the board are not the ladies but the men as they don’t like being questioned. Expecting things to just go their way just because it’s me, the great Andy Dance and Greg Hansen
Let’s just tax everything and everyone.
Thanks to the women they ask for other funding options rather than just tax us. Options never presented. Like position cut, defer spending and a hiring freeze.
We must rely on not taxing and only better governance.
When the County and Palm Coast finally hire a real Administrators we will enjoy balanced budget taxation.
Greg says
Smarten up for Gods sake. It’s only a half penny and maybe 30 or 40 bucks a year. It won’t break anyone’s pocket.
WreckingBall says
The beaches have “re-nourished” themselves for centuries long before man and the political animal decided to manually destroy the dunes and build multi-million dollar homes on them. Stop wasting your time and let nature take its course. We never needed these 3-story homes that are empty 90% of time built in the first place. Problem solved.
rebecca says
I think if you have a toll booth to cross over the bridges to beach, could generate revenue to help the beach. Jekyll Island does this and would be a good model.
celia pugliese says
Flagler County receives from our yearly Ad Valorem Taxes each dollar 45 cents when Palm Coast only gets 22 cents, same with the share of gas tax, etc. So the county needs to dig into its coffers tighten the belt speacilly when it comes to ist payroll and grants request (over 69 millions since 2019 for FINK) and find the millions a year to contribute for the 18 miles beach restoration and keeping clearly in mind that north of Van Park to Marineland except by two small just public access that beach is practically privately used by Hammock Dunes and Ginn’s Hammock Beach CDD’s water front. Those very 33 ocean front acres given by the FCBOCC with Mr. Darby chair in exchange for 200 acres in the bundocks and a $200,000 check for the public Jungle Hut accsess in late 90’s and now the county wants us Palmcoasters help pay for that exclusive beach renourishment? We are just lucky that thanks (if I recall well) to the retiring city attorney the county has not impose the private property ownership to the beach front high water line, typical in FL. https://www.sewardlawoffice.com/who-owns-floridas-beachfront/, This time I have to appreciate Kim Carney and Pam Richardson for their vote…and probably LeAnne as well.
Josh says
Who cares it’s just an old beach town. Everybody knows you go to the beach to trash. The place party live it up. The force that live. There are idiots anyway.
larry krasner says
Hotel 4th Floor Surtax 999%
For heavens sake says
Eight years of planning, permitting at the local, state and federal government down the drain. How much has that cost us, besides years?
Carney, queen of the flipfloppers. Who is advising her?
Big Mike says
Suggest Carney think “we” not “I”. The old adage “you can’t fix stupid “ applies here. Unless a new funding stream is found the plan is dead. You cannot squeeze it outof the existing budget on an ongoing basis
Mort says
Carney has changed her mind 4 times now. Is she going to do this on every issue? Are there any adults out there willing to run for office?
We seem to be running short of them at the moment.
Shaking my head says
To all of you relatively new Commissioners, it appears that we elected some very undereducated members. Who would a half cent tax really hurt? If $14.00 per family annually isn’t doable, that’s absolutely preposterous! How about we go with your thinking and deprive struggling lower income folks, their children access to the beach, (not just the beach front owners), the very needed resources at the library, etc.!
Some of you really are not knowledgeable enough to even be in your elected seat! God Bless our County and its future!
Ed P says
The simple reality is home owners living near and along the shore line pay on average 3 to 10 times or more property tax than Palm Coast proper homeowners. It’s due to the real market value of homes that have spiraled upwards over the last 6 years. Many homes have seen a doubling or more of their values and if not homesteaded or upon a sale, well the taxes rise to current values. A few higher end homeowners pay upwards of $40,000 annually.
That did not detour the county from assessing every homeowner $464 per year (20 years) for the Mala Compra drainage project. The islanders also pay .75 to cross the bridge from town and even a conservative estimate, spend $150 year. Yet, most island residence are not complaining about additional taxes.
They also endure the onslaught of short term rentals (STR) that if properly enforced, would generate addition tax revenue. There are registration fees of $400, ($200 annual renewal) sales taxes, and the 5% Flagler county tourist tax that are currently going uncollected. There are hundreds of unregistered/unregulated rentals throughout the county that are not paying these fees/ taxes. It was recently pointed out to the tax collector and code enforcement that 30 plus STVR were evading inspections, registration or paying taxes in the conclave known as Marineland Acres. There were 16 properties complying, 3 pending inspection. Making 49+ rentals total. That indicates that about 2/3 of the rentals could be tax evaders and certainly are not registered. $12k just from registration.
I’m not suggesting this would fill the budget short fall, but it would reduce it. The county needs your help in identifying these properties. Simply drop them the anonymous email at the bottom of their site. Most rentals properties are not our neighbors. They are business that are gaming the system. They should be in compliance.
In summary, Island residents pay more than their fair share. Regardless of the method of “finding” the dollars to meet the costs of maintaining our beaches, every county residence has skin in the game and should endorse some type of across the board tax to protect our 18 miles of beaches.
just wait for it says
Hold my Beer is correct; Since County Administrator Petito has been in charge, each department has doubled, tripled and in a few departments quadrupled staff. Petito got her good friend her library she has been wanting for over 10 years. They will tell you it is only 16 million with 4 million in grants. what about all the state of the art new equipment they are adding, all the new furniture, books, IT and let’s not forget about the 5 or more new staff Albanese is going to hire for the library. IT wants to hire another person to be assigned to the new library, maintenance is going to hire an another person as well for the new library, when does it stop.
Carney is looking out for the tax payers of Flagler County. While going threw budget season, she must have seen all the waste the rest of us do not get to see. Hansen mention cutting staff to try and scare people, he is just worried about getting free meals all around the county. Dance whole household income comes from taxes payers, he does whatever Petito tells him to do so his wife can keep her job. Pennington has been a big disappointment, and voters are taken notice.
Bobsea says
Carney and Richardson should be ashamed of themselves. They are not representing the population or voters that elected them.