The Flagler County Commission wants to ensure that 2025 will be the year when it will vote in a beach-management funding plan, ending Flagler’s long and undistinguished run as the only county in Florida without one. A beach-management plan will ensure that the county’s 18 miles of beaches will have the money necessary to keep them in the sand, their dunes rebuilt and the beaches renourished when necessary, especially between long periods when federal portions of the shore in Flagler Beach are not due for renourishment.
To get there, the county will have to agree, with local communities like the Hammock, and likely with cities, on a plan that may including taxing components, whether through targeted taxing districts or through a more cross-county tax, like a dedicated portion of the property tax. The county has been struggling to develop such a plan for the past several years, managing its beaches meanwhile on the fortune of state and federal grants. But there are no such federal and state funds for regular, annual maintenance of the beach, or for renourishing (or rebuilding) the majority of the county’s beaches.
“One of the hardest things to deal with for me was go to these beach management conferences and find out we’re the only county that didn’t have a plan, didn’t have a funding plan,” Commissioner Greg Hansen said. “Other counties around here write a check when it’s time for beach management. That’s where we should be.”
“Obviously beach management is now a big component, especially this year,” Commission Chair Andy Dance said. The county hopes to do finalize the plan over the next few months.
The commission discussed the plan and other leading budget priorities during an afternoon workshop Monday when County Administrator Heidi Petito set the table for the budget year ahead. That begins with hearing from each commissioner about his or her own priorities, “defining the board’s policies and priorities” ahead of next year’s budget, Petito said.
As Dance explained it to his new colleagues on the commission, Kim Carney and Pam Richardson, “in the past, during budgets, at least when I first came on the commission, the budget process was heavily administrative-driven, and it got to where come August and September, where we should have everything worked out, and staff is just going through the motions of finalizing the budget, we would get commissioner recommendations at the last minute, which throws the process in turmoil.”
That changed. The commission now gives direction almost a year ahead of time. The administration uses that guidance to build the budget. Petito and her administration will hold one-on-one meetings with each commissioner between now and early January to get their list of priorities. The commission will discuss those at a January 13 meeting, where they will presumably adopt a communal plan. The budget season will kick off on Feb. 10, even though, in effect, the season has already begun.
But certain priorities may top the list regardless, starting with beach management. Other such top-line priorities may include “progressive reduction” in the property tax rate, if only to prepare for an eventual recession, when the county may have no choice but to compensate for the loss in revenue by raising the property tax. The commission has managed to fractionally reduce the rate in some of the past few years, though the declines have been more symbolic than substantial, and the general fund tax rate today ($7.9297 per $1,000 in taxable value) is almost the same as it was a decade ago ($7.975).
A tenth of a mill–the rate is calculated based on “millage,” or thousandths–works out to about $1.4 to $1.5 million. An additional tenths generates that revenue. A deduction reduces the budget by that amount. The county’s general fund this year has budgeted revenue of $155 million, with $23 million of that in reserves to account for emergencies–or, as has been the case in previous years, to pay for unexpected requests by commissioners, the sheriff of other constitutional officers. That’s the sort of late-season requests Dance is hoping to pre-empt with the more deliberate, year-long budget preparation.
Another top-line priority, in Dance’s view, is employee retention, “a huge issue in trying to keep our best and brightest working for us here,” Dance said, to keep surrounding counties from luring Flagler County’s employees away. Keeping that a priority next year implies that the administration should build in another employee raise.
The county is also focusing on economic development, as it has every year. It has recently approved establishing a municipal bond authority that should make it easier to finance private projects with bonds. And it has numerous other objectives that would be accomplished within the scope of coming budgets without needing the sort of policy framework that the commission’s priorities would need. Those include continued planning for construction next year of the general aviation terminal at the county airport, followed by the construction of another hangar there the following year, a dozen or so road and bridge projects (Commerce Parkway, the two-lane road looping from State Road 100 to U.SD. 1 on the east side of Bunnell will be completed toward the end of 2025. That’s a joint county and city project.)
A few new trail projects are on the list of new objectives, as is the construction of Fire Rescue Station 51 in Espanola and Fire Rescue Station 62 in Bunnell, which will have an administrative wing.
The county’s capital projects of “anticipated maintenance and new construction projects” extend to 56 needs between 2025 and 2029 (see the list here). It’s a fluid list, dependent on what the county can afford and what commissioners end up deeming most important.
The list doesn’t include additional, planned projects for 2025, such as an $882,000 security retrofit at the county jail and $1.6 million in spending on the county’s future tourism, or Eco-Discovery, center on State Road 100, with $8.8 million expected to be spent on that project the following year. Numerous maintenance projects are funded. Numerous ones are not.
Jonathan says
Why should we pay with our taxes? Especially if we don’t live on the beach? Why hasn’t the County budgeted for this?
Put it on the voter’s ballot so we can all vote NO.
Laurel says
Jonathan: If the county is going to keep up the beach (for tourists mostly), then we all pay a smaller portion. Do you think people, like us in the Hammock, should be the only people who pay, simply because we live near the beach? Are you telling me that you, and others in Palm Coast, are not going to the beach? All the cars parked, bumper to bumper, belong to those on the barrier island? Are you suggesting that Palm Coasters do not take their friends and relatives to the beach when they visit? How about vacation renters who come to Palm Coast? Why does Palm Coast advertise the beach?
Everyone should participate in the paying for beach *restoration*. It should not be on the backs of the smallest population.
Kenneth Davis says
The city of Palm Coast, Bunnell, Flagler Beach and the county need to have a consistent policy on tax use. Would people on the beach agree to fund a 30 million dollar project in Bunnell. Remember the county offices are on Bunnell and everyone uses it
Laurel says
Kenneth: And our taxes pay for the offices in Bunnell.
Julia LaRue says
Yes, let’s spend 2 million on a skate park for all county users. Yes, let’s spend 1.6 million for county future tourism. Yes, let’s impose a fee/tax to the RESIDENTS in the unincorporated areas of the barrier island for the beach re-nourishment. Does anyone see what is wrong here? Please talk to your County Commissioners about making this expense a COUNTY WIDE fee/tax. The beach is available for county wide and city wide residents and tourists. The pickle ball courts, skateboard parks, walking trails, eco-tourism, all county recreational facilities that are funded by OUR taxes and are being used by county and city residences and tourists who visit.
TR says
Well, I don’t use any of the things you listed nor do I go to the beach, so why should I have to pay for them? All the things you mentioned are only being used by a small number of residence, but yet everyone is suppose to pay for them. I don’t think that’s fair.
Laurel says
TR: Only a small number of residences use the beach? Really? So, where are all those cars coming from, across the street from the beach? Two, three, four or even five blocks away? When your friends and relatives come to visit, you keep them away from the beach? There are 130,000 +/- residents in Flagler County. They all stay home? They live on the coast to stay away from the ocean?
So Hubby and I, who went to the beach twice this year, for an hour each, should pay more so you don’t have to? We still have to drive and park to get there. Maybe some people who live in a trailer, in the Hammock, should pay so you don’t have to? Maybe some seniors on fixed incomes, and can’t make it to the beach should pay extra, so you don’t have to?
That’s not how it works anywhere else in Florida.
The dude says
Because that’s what community does.
And also, all of these things are part of what makes life better around PC. Just because you choose not to avail yourself of any of these opportunities does not mean they shouldn’t be in place.
Without the beach, the canals, the sport facilities, the parks, etc… Palm Coast is just Bunnell.
Do you wish to spend your twilight years in the Mondex?
Retired says
There are good and bad people in the Mondex. I lived in the communism that is palm coast. Nosey neighbors and code enforcement when my grass was over 2 in tall. Yes I choose to live my twlight years in the mondex. Im 58 and my husband is 70. We built our house with our own two hands. And if it was not for all the planes it would be great. But you have some of the same dirt bags living in Palm coast. And something else a home in the mondex just sold for over half a million.
feddy says
I don’t have any children attending schools, why should my tax dollars do to education?
Rob says
If residents of the barrier island need to be the ones to pay the bill for the beaches, anyone not living on the barrier island should have to pay to park at the beaches WE are paying for. Paid parking is already happening in Volusia County. I love living out here and don’t mind paying for the privilege, but others shouldn’t have the same privilege if they are not willing to pay.
Deborah Coffey says
That would be a good compromise, Rob, since in our 24 years living in Palm Coast, we’ve been to the beach one time. Frankly, trying to keep the beach is a losing proposition. Nature is going to win this one and thinking otherwise is just like accepting flushing our money down the toilet. It would make more sense to move A1A 3 miles west. We’ve never minded paying taxes of any kind because usually those monies are invested in things that are needed and have a life span. But, in this whole article was anything mentioned about widening our roads and repaving them? We’re driving through ruts and getting 3 red lights at intersections because out of control growth was allowed. In the end, one thing that would be most helpful would be for people to stop voting for “freedom, family values, and pull yourself up by your bootstraps” incompetents and put those in office that actually do care about them.
Rob says
Agree 100% I’ve been living out here for nearly 20 years. Feels like a loosing battle with the risk, insurance premiums and all the vacation rentals. Cost of living in paradise, while I can afford it.
Laurel says
Moving A1A three miles west is completely illogical, and a not so well thought out fantasy.
Lance Carroll says
Like sands through the hourglass…
FLF says
I would have no problem paying for beach renourishment if I was able to use the beach. Parking is terrible. We’re going to have a new iconic pier, where are those extra people going to park? Throw in a decent parking garage that all of us FLAGLER residents can use and you have a deal.
Laurel says
Since Flagler County is the only part of the Florida coast that does not have a plan, I wonder how many copies of different plans has the county collected, and read, to see how other areas handle it.
Doug L says
I have lived on the barrier island since the late 70’s, and to me, it’s my home. The beach is way down on my list of enjoyments, and when I do enjoy it, I go to Ormond Beach, where I can access it with my Jeep. I also wonder why the Flagler County Commission believes that we should pay for the beach re-nourishment when the truth is that most of the residents on the barrier island aren’t the primary users of the beach. Why does the county have a tourist tax, and what major projects is that tax funding? Why not raise the tourist tax to fund the beach re-nourishment? If the county wants an accurate assessment of who’s using the beach, sit at the bottom of the toll bridge on the weekends, and they’ll have their answers because burdening the barrier island residents with more taxes to pay for visitors enjoying their vacations at our expense is downright wrong.
Laurel says
Doug L: Thank you, I’m with you. We actually take trips to other parts of Florida to enjoy much, much better beaches. We grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, where you can take a boat out far from the shore, and see the sea floor in 50′ of water. You don’t need goggles to swim underwater and see. Here, you can’t see your feet, and goggles won’t help. You have to go when it’s calm, or it’s all churned up, which is most of the time. Rip currents are extremely common.
Honestly, I could not care less about the beaches here anymore. Margaritaville and tourists who know nothing about the nature here, is changing everything. The inlet in St. John’s County seems a thing of the past. But, if we have to pay, it should be across the whole county.
Fernando Melendez says
A Countywide tax/fee is totally irresponsible and unnecessary. I had put out many other options on the table when I ran for office but fell on deaf ears. Those ideas are out there and can be read on my flaglerlive interview.
Al says
Beach refurbishment in any county is a waste of tax money. The sand gets dredged up and then the next storm washes it away. This makes no sense to people with a brain. If you live on the barrier island you’ve done so at your own risk, and when the road and beach erode away so be it. One day a storm will completely wash over the barrier as it has in so many other places, then what. More money and year long dredging will not fix that. Let nature run it’s course and move to a more viable location.
Laurel says
Al: If you live inland, and experienced flooding, you did so at your own risk. However, inland people go to the beach all summer long, as evident by the cars and crowds, while barrier island people try to avoid inland travel, as much as possible, anyway. Heard of “Don’t make me cross the bridge”? Why do you figure?
Joe D says
In response to AI:
SURE , the barrier island homeowners can leave…along with the non-Disney Florida tourist $$$ they generate. How much does that tourism money contribute to Flagler COUNTY tax coffers? I’m sure one of FlaglerLive readers can tell me…now SUBTRACT that out of the County and State Budget.
Did Floridians forget how that “NO STATE INCOME TAXES” status exists…TOURISM! So add approximately 5% tax on all your income, and see where you would be with no maintained beaches? …anyone?…anyone at all?….are those CRICKETS I hear?!?
Laurel says
Joe D: No, your not hearing crickets, your hearing your own voice.
I’ve lived in this state for 72 years, born and raised. Yes, we had lower taxes because of tourism, but also because of agriculture and beef. You like oranges, don’t you? The orange groves are disappearing due to development of subdivisions.
Our sales tax rate was 4% throughout most of my youth, until New York moved down and it quickly went up to 6%, 6.5%, then 7%. Now it’s 7.5% in many areas. More and more tourists moved in, and more and more costs went up. Less orange groves, more traffic, more congestion and crowds, more and more high-rises, and more and more overpasses. Less and less quality of life.
So, I’ve heard all my life how tourism will keep my taxes low. South Florida, where I’m from, is now unaffordable to most people. What used to be considered cheap neighborhoods are now a half mil for an old, small house that floods. Didn’t use to flood, but is now a problem. Are tourist taxes keeping your taxes down? In Flagler Beach, now aka Margaritaville, small, simple houses are now $6,000 to $12,000 and up in annual taxes. We know neighbors who built a house there recently, not big, not on the water, and were assessed $10,000 in annual taxes. They sold and moved. The $12,000 taxed people are selling and moving too.
So, help me understand where these precious tourists, who are clogging the roads you are complaining about, helping you, and your neighbors personally? Are they keeping your taxes down? Are they fixing your roads? Nope. They are supporting a few, not the majority. I would be happy as hell if they stayed away.
Laurel says
You’re
Ron says
Everyone should pay for the beach. Just like paying for school tax when you do not have children attending.
Igor says
I don’t understand why it is necessary to protect the beach?
After all, the beach itself is not being destroyed, it remains as it was, its dimensions do not change, its configuration changes – today it is moving inland, and tomorrow it will retreat back into the ocean.
I see that now the A1A road, which runs along the beach (the state owns the road), will be destroyed, houses that are directly adjacent to the beach may be destroyed.
It turns out that some own property, and others must pay for the preservation of their property?
Laurel says
Igor: You make a good point, sand comes and goes. It’s all about tourism. Yes, some houses could be destroyed, but that is buyer beware. No, A1A will not be destroyed, it’s FDOT’s problem. They will fix it. The county will pump up grey sand, that doesn’t house coquinas and sand fleas (so local fishermen will have to find bait elsewhere), and the beautiful rust red sand will be gone, or replaced with ball park dirt.
People find a “paradise,” then cannot wait to change it. It’s all about money, it’s not about citizens.