When Flagler County Commissioner Kim Carney discovered that the county was not going to levy a certain kind of tax on beachside property owners as part of a beach-protection plan starting this fall, she was not happy.
What started at this morning’s commission meeting as a position statement on beach policy quickly degenerated into accusations–Carney accusing the administration of inaction, Commissioner Greg Hansen accusing Carney of “sabotage,” Commissioner Pam Richardson accusing Hansen of making things up (he wasn’t)–that again uncovered the rifts that led to the collapse of the commission’s long-term beach-management plan, and the county with few options ahead.
The abrasive discussion underscored the inescapable: Flagler County and its cities have no plan to save their beaches beyond a cluster of temporary and thinly funded stopgaps.
The $114 million plan had hinged on an increase in the sales tax. Carney, Richardson and Commissioner Pennington were opposed. The plan ended any hope of a sustained, long-term beach construction and maintenance program in the coming years.
Carney still thought the county would create a special tax along 10 miles of unincorporated Flagler County (or the whole 18 miles of the barrier island: she was not clear) to get some funding for some beach protection going. But that approach would have drawn nominal revenue compared to needs, and while the county is preparing to establish such a taxing district at the end of 2026, the amount to be levied isn’t known yet.
Then started the recriminations.
“This lack of action will expose the entire northern 10 unprotected and unfunded for all of 25 and 26,” Carney said. She claimed she had pushed the MSBU since her election, and “never once, as a board member, believed that this was not going to happen in 2025.”
County Administrator Heidi Petito corrected her on the vulnerability of the barrier island: the county is setting aside $8.1 million in funding and has emergency berms or dunes planned as a stopgap.
“Hearing we weren’t given the right direction, or we weren’t given direction, that doesn’t work with me,” Carney said, blaming the administration.
Hansen was calm and controlled, but his words roared: “I’m sitting here listening to this, and I’ve been working on this project for years. Quite honestly, I’m incensed by Commissioner Carney’s comments because she single-handedly sabotaged the plan,” Hansen said, referring to the $114 million plan. “We had a plan in place in November of last year that was working towards implementation in December, and Commissioner Carney got on her white horse and rode in here and said, I’m going to fix it my way. I don’t like your way. Well, quite honestly, she’s sitting on a donkey right now. All the procedure and all the impetus that we had in place, she single-handedly sabotaged and got rid of it all because she had a better plan.”
Hansen was off on his timeline. The sales tax proposal was not in the plan by December, a month after Carney’s and Richardson’s election. It was not added until late February. Earlier that month officials at a joint meeting of county and city officials were frustrated by how cryptic the county plan was: it had no numbers, no details. Carney was among the critics.
Petito unveiled the half-cent sales tax proposal, along with all the other funding details, in late February. From that point on, however, the only revisions were in a few details, not in the principle of the plan, not in its main outlines.
Even then, Carney was critical, maintaining what by then became a fiction of her own creation: that the plan kept changing. Yes, it had changed–in part at her behest, to have solid numbers and projections. Despite that, Carney continued to claim that “it’s been morphed many, many times,” which was no longer true, but she used that fiction to torpedo the plan and get Richardson to go along on the same theme.
“What was the most important and critical component was a long term financing source,” Commission Chair Dance said. That was the sales tax. Carney claims the taxing districts were the answer. “Those are only components of it, those, those don’t fix the problem,” Dance told her. “They put an inordinate amount of burden on the property owners.”
Hansen continued, recalling how he called the Petito plan “elegant” for its thoughtfulness and minimized cost t taxpayers. “It was just so cheap that nobody would even feel it,” he said. “Not only is it fair and it fully funds the $12 million dollars we need to get this project done. But it also allows us to put a significant amount of money from other sources that we’re now robbing to work on the other infrastructure projects we have.” He said Richardson joined Carney just because she “didn’t like” the plan. Richardson recoiled.
“I never said ‘I don’t like it.’ I don’t appreciate him insulting everybody,” Richardson said.
“I’m sorry. It’s on the record. ‘I don’t like it.’ I looked it up,” Hansen said.
At a June 16 workshop on beach management, Richardson had said: “I don’t like that things are changeable once they’ve been diagnosed as that’s it. I just cannot keep adjusting and adjusting, adjusting to make it sound good.”
Hansen continued, describing himself as “depressed” over the collapse of the beach plan and calling the resulting budget “criminal” for its cutbacks.
“If you had done your homework and understood the plan and how it was going to work, then we wouldn’t be sitting here today. We would have an MSBU in place and ready to go, because it was ready to go last December. All we needed at that point was the buy-in from the cities,” which was getting worked out, he said. (An MSBU is a “Municipal Services Benefit Unit.” It’s a special tax levied on property owners to pay for a specific goal.)
“Thank you, Greg. Well spoken, Greg,” Carney said with a note of sarcasm. “But if this plan was so perfect, why didn’t you get it before we got up here?”
“And I resent being put in that everything that I say is because Ms Carney said something. I have my own mind, thank you very much,” Richardson said, noting her conversations with the administration. “I’m fully aware and I’m able to make my own mind up with any decision I make. I just don’t appreciate the attack on our board with disrespect towards our members, to treat us all like we’re all different people, and that we don’t have equality here. Because I thought this board was very kind to each other, but to attack a member of this board is not acceptable in my book, so I really resent that you would say and call people criminals. We’re not criminals.”
“By the end of the half-cent sales tax discussion, it was four to one,” Carney told Hansen. “You were the only one voting for the half-cent sales tax.” Dance had been a supporter as well, however. “So the timing was wrong. You should have insisted on getting that plan done before November of 2024, and you didn’t do it. So therefore we all sit here with the revised plan. It is not the Kim Carney plan. It was the best plan we could get at the time to go to budget for this year. I, for one, thought that there was an MSBU written into it.”
The commission did agree to levy an MSBU on barrier island property owners in unincorporated Flagler County for next year, but in principle, not in fact: the amount charged will be zero. That allows the commission to work on an actual figure by the time the studies are complete.
An engineering study was necessary to validate the numbers, with no time left in the budget timeline to get it done this year. But even when the MSBU levy will draw revenue, “We don’t have a long-term consistent funding plan for beach nourishment,” Dance said in a brief interview this afternoon. “It’s basically year to year.” The commission, he said, needs to “coalesce around what does a long-term maintenance plan looks like, and it’s going to involve the municipalities on the barrier island. This is going to be a big undertaking for the next year.”
At the end of the morning’s commission meeting, Dance has cautioned his colleagues from the dais: “Just remind everybody that our words have meaning. Be careful in what we say up here. Everybody sitting up here has got years left to work together. It does nobody any good to start accusing people of–you know. Obviously we have to be conscious of our decisions. Our decisions have consequences and we have to be able to understand that we’re all not going to agree. At the end of the day, it’s okay that we don’t agree, but we have to be able to put that behind us when we leave this room.”
By the time they left the room, the county’s beach management plan was back to near zero.
RTC says
It is unbelievable that our County Commisioners have not been able to put together a plan to fund the necessary beach renouriishment – this has been going on for years, and we are now still years away from getting the project done. Thanks to Commissioners Dance and Hansen for all their efforts; the only solution now may be to wait three years to be able to vote the other three Commissioners out of office.
I wonder how much of the county’s property tax revenues comes from the barrier island, compared to the number of properties (or residents) on the barrier island. I am confident it is a disproportionate amount. I am tired of seeing comments on Flagler Live about how residents of PC don’t go to the beach (which has already been proven incorrect based on cell tower statistics) and should not have to pay for beach renourishment). The beach is a county beach and should be maintained by the full resources of the county – whether by sales tax or property tax.
When the big storm comes and the beach, and the homes on the barrier island, get destroyed the county’s revenue will take a serious hit – impacting all the county’s operations, including the school tax funding all those students who don’t live on the barrier island. Then the naysayers for funding the beach renourishement will see what a real tax increase looks like, as well as seeing the value of their homes plummet.
Be patient Hansen says
Wow! Hansen is obviously used to the good ol boy system. How incredibly condescending he was. I cannot tell you how proud I am of the 3 women on the board shaking things up and standing up to the status quo. That was a good point the final vote was 4 to 1! So why pick on Carney so much? You dont just agree to move things along. I have seen many Commissioners vote on things they really do not understand, in part because of laziness and also to just get along. This is not kindergarten.
Maybe there will be a learning curve for some, if they need more time to get answers and have this and other matters make sense then that should be allowed. At the same time, they should do a lot of homework ahead of time and not come into the meetings without a clue that I have seen happen in the past. Even though they were given information prior to these meetings. From what I can see the women are doing the Carney and Pennington are doing the most homework.
My political two cents says
The woman has always been known as toxic and vicious (the county commissioner for Flagler Beach noted in this article). She joined the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee 2-3 years ago in preparation for her run for office. She was backed by Dennis McDonald, and that should have told you something. As well, she was backed by the owners (who are also realtors) of Captain’s BBQ, one of whom is now on the county planning board, voted “yes” for that position by the other county commissioner who has overstayed his welcome by about 10 years, Dance. Yet, with all the aforementioned, she was elected because she was/is a member of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee and got that political backing. As a woman, I can say that toxic and vicious women are the absolute worst, this woman being one of them.
As for Pam Richardson, she also became a member of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee 2-3 years ago and almost immediately declared her candidacy for county commission. Her only claim to fame is that she’s been a realtor for about 40 years . . . nothing else. No education of which to speak. Just a realtor. But she got elected despite having nothing to offer.
All low lifes . . . everyone of them, yet they all got elected.
Once again I say: We desperately need new blood in the political arena in Palm Coast and Flagler County.
But these people will NOT give up their power, no matter how much they’re disliked and no matter the skeletons they hide in their closets, and no matter that they’ve overstayed their political welcome many times over.
I refer the reader to the people who are going to be serving on the Palm Coast Charter Review Committee . . . all political repeats many times over, and all members of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee, none of whom are willing to give up their power.
Laurel says
Hansen: Yours and Petito’s plan sucked last year. That’s why it didn’t fly. I cannot believe y’all paid for it.
Just keep looking out for your own asses. That’s the way today.
Republican planning. I don’t think Democrats would do any better, either.
Kim says
Again, everyone’s known about this funding need for almost 20 years. So, seriously, if you can’t figure it out in that amount of time, what should we expect for the future? If Flagler County isn’t the laughingstock of the state, it should be. What a travesty for the citizens of Flagler County. Argue some more – not amusing, and tired of hearing it.
This has been the county’s project all along. Now it’s Flagler Beach’s problem? If that’s the case, FB take the bull by the horns. Set up fee parking and be done. Exempt FB residents from paid parking, and let the people who use the beach pay for it. New Smyrna’s been doing it for years, and it doesn’t seem to deter visitors.
Lance Carroll says
He said She said. Maybe, if folks actually had first hand knowledge and interaction with Kim Carney, they’d have voted differently…
Sincerely,
Lance Carroll
Greg says
Looks like the county is a circus just like Palm Coast leadership is. All you people need to grow up and resolve the issues that Flagler County and Palm Coast are facing. I’m tired of reading about stupid people we voted into leadership.
John Stove says
Is there something in the water in Flagler County? Between County Commissioners and the Palm Coast Council there is no shortage of unqualified morons. They spend more time arguing and insulting each other then actually accomplishing anything.
Ed P says
Feckless leadership? Maybe.
RTC (first comment above) is spot on.
The problem is the city of Palm Coast. They firmly reject all and any responsibility for the beach.
It’s a county wide issue. Period. City leaders won’t risk supporting a .17 cent per day tax.
If every county property parcel (82,000+) was assessed a real estate tax % based on assessed value, we could all afford the expense. If my basic math skills are correct, most Palm Coast city proper residents would pay less than $60/ year. Barrier island residence maybe $100-$150.
Is it feckless leadership?
Lil bird says
All the labor dollars that these fools waste studying and meeting with and drafting and redrafting and more engineering studies and this and that is despicable. Seriously I bet it would nearly cover the project dollar needs.
So at this point, why not turn it over to the Future Problem Solver teens at our local public school and let them solve it? Seriously. I’m sure they will both get a workable plan in place and save us- and the beach- all before this load of county commissioners add another little workshop about this topic to their dias.
Larry says
Carney and Richardson should be voted out next election. They are clueless and inept. Greg Hansen is correct.
Marco Simone says
This is something which should have been figured out a long time ago. Why is there opposition to a half-cent sales tax? On a $100 purchase, that equals $0.50 of tax. 50 cents!!! The sales tax impacts every single person who enters the County. Instead, let’s implement a plan which places the entire burden on the property owners. Carney seems to be the type of person who thinks if it’s not her idea, it’s not a good idea. Richardson is absolutely clueless. And rather than look at something objectively and be open to new ideas, see the bigger picture, they both remain stubborn and unwilling to work towards a feasible solution. If you’re going to be opposed to something, that’s fine. But, you need to bring an alternative to the table and show why it’s better. This needs to be a long-term plan, not a year-to-year discussion. Keep kicking the can down the road. If you kick it long enough, you won’t have to make a decision. Keep up the great work!!
Pam: “I beleive the MSBU will cover the balance.”
Hanson: “MSBU covers $800,000 of a $12,000,000 problem.”
Sherry says
You were warned about Kim Carney “before” the election. No surprises here!
Pogo says
@Music
… to accompany these lovers:
Roy johnson says
Let’s just sum this up
Sometimes you have to do the work your self especially when it is important.
Simply passing the work down might get you into trouble
James says
Between Richardson and Pennington they aren’t any benefit to Flagler County no wonder the commissioners can never agree on anything.
People please do your research the next time you go and vote. It is time our county gets some new qualified individuals and please stop elected realtors we have had enough with them running for political office.
Layla says
Disappointed to see the finger pointing and personal attacks in the comments here. If any were paying attention, you would realize how ignorant these comments are. The hate just oozes out of some of you.
What an unbelievably nasty and ugly place this is. Just look at yourselves. It’s a wonder any want to live here at all. Your community spirit is non existent. God help us if we take a really bad storm.
You need an exorcist.
Skeptical about thr Flagler County Republicans. says
Beach renourishment should be considered Waste and Abuse given what has been proven to be a futile fight with the Atlantic Ocean. Build a Seawall to
Save A1A and then spend our tax $$$ on improvements in Flagler County that are really needed.
JC says
My political two cents comment is spot on. No need for “new blood” since the boomers are the ones who are mostly running the state/community/county/city and want everyone to be angry/bitter/scapegoating and don’t want to give up their “power.” Most boomers think they know what they are doing, but in the end of the day they just want to destroy/rape everything that they touch with a giant FU to everyone else (Dennis McDonald and his lot).
Ed P says
Here’s the problem with an additional county sales tax amount.
Supporters point out that tourists and nonresidents will help contribute to the cause.
The reality, as a resident, you will pay the tax on 100% of your purchases, regardless of their participation.
Also, each taxing entity like Palm Coast/Flagler Beach has to agree to pass through the tax or the agreed % of the new tax. Not guaranteed they would.
Finally, retail businesses would be at a “tax disadvantage” however small. There is a cap on the surtax, only applies to the first $5000 of large purchases like a car, adding another $25 dollars.
A property tax would be deductible for those that itemize their income taxes.
Randall says
May actually need god or Mexico to help us ! The orange pedo ended FEMA and regularly withholds aid and assistance from the less fortunate to enrich himself! Get the sheriffs office out there working on the beach they get most of the budget and manpower in a town full of elderly and have had dramatic increases in budget and people in recent years. How much did we spend on military equipment likes drones swat vehicles ? People got conned by conman and his cult! Republicans are to blame! They have defunded education, rolled back environmental regulation and enforcement and research,nearly all government agencies had cuts to disable them, republicans cut food assistance and healthcare programs for millions of people and gave it all to a few of the richest humans on the planet!! They’ve blocked minimum wage increases over 29 times! Isnt that great???!!! They need to learn some accountability for their crimes! Economic terror and stock manipulation! Taco tariffs are good for no one but the ones manipulating the market! While climate change may have been forcibly removed from all government websites the problem is real and worse than ever! this hottest year ever it will be the coolest for the rest of your days!!! Don’t look up!
Just an observer says
An observation,
A lot of people posting here need to go back to school and take remedial math. These ladies on the commission are busy cutting everything from the public library services to county jobs and they are still millions short of meeting the goal needed. Ms. Carney wants to put us through this year after year instead of voting on a long term solution for the beaches. WTH happened to our county commission???
They wanted to raise your gas taxes but not a half cent sales tax? I think we have a problem here with three ladies who are not going to help us get to where we need to be. The bigger question is “do they know how?” Wow.
Louie knows...... says
From someone who knows Kim Carney well….. working with her in Flagler Beach. She always has her own agenda and will try anything to get her way. Her antics are toxic and disruptive toward a democratic process. She should never have been elected as a commissioner in either Flagler Beach or Flagler County. She must go !!!! Please remember this if she decides to ever be on a political ballot in the future.
Villein says
What’s interesting is there hasn’t been much in the way of citizen involvement in this debate. Either people just don’t care either way about the beach or the tax, or they just assume it will be handled by competent authorities- again, either way: barrier island falls into the ocean or sand is endlessly brought in for as long as that charade can be sustained.
Andy Montgomery says
Poor deceived commissioner Hansen; a fall girl/guy is sought for atrocious oversight in befitting a staffer.
Maybe not a bad hopping event but a little ostracizization should ruin lives too much we hope.
Gregg needs to hawk for hawks and Kim get a consulting never wrong nose to for staff picking.
Issue finally put to bed.
On to lesser important issues live starving kids eyes and too much talk and not enough action
😎🌈🥰🧚🏻♀️
Larry says
Reply to Ed P’s comment:
Groceries and medicine and medical supplies are tax free and will remain tax free, so it’s impossible that residents would pay beach tax on 100% of their purchases. These items make up a large percentage of household purchases for many families and would remain tax free.