Flagler County’s Hammock residents applaud the county’s efforts to devise a permanent method to pay for the $8 million a year it needs to manage the county’s beaches against constant erosion.
But today, even though all but $1.7 million of the beach-management money would come from county coffers, Hammock residents told the County Commission that the special taxing district the county is planning for the Hammock and other portions of the barrier island, but not Flagler Beach and not anywhere on the mainland, is unfair. They don’t question the plan’s benefits. But they see it as targeting Hammock residents rather than spreading the taxing responsibility among all those who enjoy the beaches, the majority of them from Flagler County’s mainland.
The public response once again puts in doubt the plan the county administration worked hard to develop in the second half of the year, after a previous plan that would have spread the taxing responsibility across the county was rejected outright by Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and even some members of the County Commission.
The county’s plan as currently devised would use $2 million in tourism tax revenue, $3 million in sales tax revenue, $1.5 million in general fund revenue–all of which is paid for by residents across the county–plus $1.7 million in a special assessment, or tax, paid for by Hammock and barrier island residents. “So the lion’s share, or $6.5 million of the $8.2 was proposed to come from people other than the barrier island,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said.
For the county, there is urgency in putting a solid funding plan in place. In some ways the county is already in catch-up mode. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ celebrated, $27 million beach-renourishment project, completed at the end of summer, lost a substantial portion of its new sand to Hurricane Milton. That will be replenished by the federal government, at the federal government’s expense. But portions of the renourishment project the county tacked on will not get federal dollars. The county has to pay for those portions. The county also has to pay for all 11 miles of remaining beach that needs new sand and dunes. And Flagler Beach has to pay to maintain the Army Corps project, year after year, though Flagler Beach has allocated zero dollars to that end.
Today, the County Commission approved the method of collecting a beach-management levy from the barrier island, but not the levy itself. It’s a procedural step the commission must take by law, if it intends subsequently to implement an actual tax. As Petito described it, “it’s not approving the levying of an amount. It’s just providing a tool.” (The procedural step gets technical. It is required by law if the county elects to impose what’s called a “municipal service benefit unit,” or MSBU, which would be an assessment or a fee separate from the property tax. An MSTU is a municipal service taxing unit levied through the property tax.)
The two newest members of the commission motioned and seconded: Kim Carney and Pam Richardson. The commission approved the resolution unanimously. But it did so after hearing considerable support for a management plan paired with criticism and reservations about this plan.
Kathleen Doyle, a former finance director at Flagler Beach government who is conversant with government taxing and revenue, wanted a list of the steps ahead, such as when the public would get to weigh in on a proposed levy. She is opposed: “I don’t think it’s fair,” she said, noting that only a portion of barrier island residents, around 60 percent in her estimation, would pay the tax. “This is a county thing,” she said. “If one-tenth of a mil raises $1.5 million,” she said, referring to the property tax, which is measured by millage, “why can’t we just increase the mill rate and restrict that money? I mean, you’re talking $10 for $100,000 of taxable property value. I think that’s more equitable. It would be more of a unifying thing for our county.”
Jim Ulsamer, a Hammock resident well know to commissioners (he chairs the county’s Library Board of Trustees, though he was not speaking in that capacity today), complimented the county’s approach. He summarized the various ways all local residents are paying for beach management. “I think it might be more of a principle of the thing than the actual cost, that’s why you’re hearing a lot of the squabbling,” Ulsamer said.
The political landscape has also changed, he said, with three members of the Palm Coast City Council, which had resisted any kind of beach-management tax, now gone from the council, making it an appropriate time to restart conversations with the city. He is also supportive of a dedicated property tax allocation as a fairer approach, especially if future beach-management costs increase. That, in fact, is inevitable. As the plan is structured today, it the increased burden would fall substantially on barrier island property owners. That would not be the case if the county dedicated a portion of the property tax.
Richard Hamilton, a resident of “one of the barrier islands,” as he put it (there are more than one), has followed and analyzed the county’s work on the beach management plan all year, frequently addressing the commission–always with constructive criticism rather than antagonism. While he, too, is concerned with the fairness of the current approach in its details, he is supportive of the principle of levying a special tax on those who would benefit most from beach protection. But he cautioned: “This resolution, as I read, the wording, does not say that it might change,” he said, while both the administration and the commission are interpreting the resolution, or the tool it puts in place, as a work in progress. “Are you happy that this wording still gives you the flexibility to change your mind as we go on through the year,” Hamilton asked.
Cheryl Wisenbaker, a one-year resident in the Hammock (along with several extended family members), is opposed to the special tax on principle: the barrier island is a playground for people who are not Hammock residents, and “there are multiple revenue options other than double taxing residents who already pay high real estate prices, high tax values and exorbitant insurance rates and expensive maintenance,” Wisenbaker said. “These are realities that we face to live there, and it’s a choice, and we gladly do it. But this is a principle issue. We do not mind paying our fair share of a general tax increase distributed amongst all users. These can be general tax, bridge toll increases, boat launch fees, park access fees, park passes. There are ways to create revenue without targeting just the residents. It just feels really unfair.”
Petito, the county administrator, said discussions with the public, workshops and meetings with the cities will follow.
“Today’s discussion about the approval or consideration of the intent. This is just a tool. We have plenty of time to continue to talk about this, looking at doing a joint, you know, workshop with the municipality, sometimes beginning of the year. No doubt there will be more community outreach from now until probably July of next year to continue to work through this following the budget process. But there isn’t really a final determination or decision to be made today.”
Janice says
Owners of short-term rental houses/condos should contribute to beach renourishment, whether located on the island or not. After all, STRs are businesses and can have ten or more people staying in one unit using the beach.
Bob Z. says
Condos?! Why? We own ours and live in it year-round, as most in our complex do. They are residences just like homes here at Surf Club. In regards to the proposed tax I do not mind paying it but it should be paid by all county residents since while we all may not use the beach we all have access to it. I already pay more in taxes for living here.
CPFL says
Read it a little slower and for comprehension. Notice short-term rental….short-term rental….not owned, not long-term rental….short-term rental.
feddy says
And that’s by choice. Same goes for dredging the canals in the C section I do agree everyone in the county should have a portion of tax money given to county project but i also believe it should be pro-rated. Individual who live at the beach taxed a little more than those who don’t, same goes for the Canal dredging, you live on the canals you pay little more. I would extend it to schools also, you have children attending schools you should pay a little more until they graduate.
Paul says
Flagler county has 5 commissions. Only one represents unincorporated Flagler..so we get nothing. 4 boy commissioners shut down 1 women..so it’s a voter surrpresion way. Andy dance is worried about some lousy beach and we have no sidewalk no shoulders no guard rails. Dusty toxic roads. No water truck. Old veitnam vets rolling down rt. 305 with no sidewalks. White line then grass. Taxed under dereses . Mr Hansen sucks 2
Ed P says
Hammock residents already pay an elevated real estate tax amount primarily due to the high assessed property values on the Island. In addition, the new drainage system necessitated an assessment of $465/yr for 20 years. The combination of elevated values and this special assessment probably means they ready pay 3 to 4 and even 5 times the average tax bill for non island residents.
Even though a beach replenishment would benefit those home owners the most, they already pay more than their fair share. Everyone in the county benefits from a healthy beach. In addition, what does the county do if those tax revenues disappear due to flooding?
A small county wide tax based on assessed property values would mean island residences would still pay a higher fee than non islanders.
Craig says
If the barrier residents want it as a county wide tax, then let’s make it as a county wife tax and remove the 6.5 million already coming from other sources than the islands.
Pretty sure much more than 2 million will be coming from the island then. And they will feel as if it’s fair as everyone is taxed.
exasperated says
A wife tax, haven’t husbands suffered enough?
Laurel says
LOL!!!
Lois says
I Don’t enjoy the beaches in front of a multi million dollar house in the Hammock. We used to live in North Dakota, and they put “specials” on home taxes to pay for items, that benefit the association or protects four house. It was mainly for flood control. You had no say in the cost of the special taxes. It was needed and you paid it. I have NO objection of paying a small tax to keep Flagler County.beaches up. I DO have an issue paying for the beaches in the PRIVATE Hammock arena, either multi million dollar homes
Cheryl Wisenbaker says
Malacompra park, bings landing, bay drive park, jungle hut road, hike and bike trail, Washington oaks park (beachside and Matanzas), are all public access and beautiful parks in the hammock
Scott says
Lol that beach will be there for residents to enjoy whether or not your house is there from a storm or not. It is your tax responsibility to keep the beach where it is at currently to preserve your home for buying it where you did. Most people dint even go to that beach in this county more than a couple times a year. Rich people logic is idiocy some times. You get what you pay for.
Ed P says
Scott,
So if your street washed out, it would be your tax responsibility?
Or when the canals need dredging, just landowners who touch the waterways should pay? Or because crime is so low in the Hammock, they should get a refund because only 2 deputies are normally needed.
My understanding is that the total island pays about 30% of all county taxes collected. If the island is not protected and becomes inhabitable are you prepared to pay the shortfall.
Talk about idiocy.
Paul says
Ricch folks really ignorant. Unincorporated Flagler county has no representation. 4 boys against 1 women. You can vote for andy dance then he says I can help I don’t represent you. Big turd narcissist. No sidewalks no guard rails no shoulders Vietnam vets on 305 trying to get dollar general store supplies. No sidewalk and Mr Hansen is worried about some rich guys beach. Voter surrpresion is andy Dane. A real man would change the county charter to be FAIR. Taxed with no representation
Spade says
Everyone is already being taxed, the main benefits of this tax go to the Flagler Beach and hammock residents, seeing as the tax applies to those areas. Now if you want to get out of the box thinking and raise the taxes for everyone to benefit one part of the community, well, considering the issues in Daytona North that are not being improved for peoples safety and health, such as sidewalks, street lights, drainage and oh let’s not forget canals and ditches full of long grass and snakes in the summer. The county has ignored our problems for years and now y’all think we should help pay for the barrier island people to protect their ocean front expenses, sounds like you knew the risks when you bought it, and you don’t pay to or try to help us get fair treatment. I mean hell, the county sends the new buses to palm coast and Flagler and our kids get the leftovers. You can afford your beach house, you can afford to get taxed to protect it, pretty sure we’re all tired of paying taxes on everything for you while we continue to get ignored
Laurel says
Well, hubby and I would be paying that special tax and we don’t live on the ocean, and it’s too far to walk to, which would require us to drive. We went twice last year, for about one hour each time. But you think that’s fair. I guess when your folks and friends come to visit, they don’t want to go to the beach, and you don’t want to take them, right?
BTW, what’s wrong with snakes?
Logic, please.
Pogo says
@On a clear night
… and calm sea, anyone seeing the lights along the shores of Florida, from the sea, will have a glimpse of another “unsinkable enormity” as it too slides from view into the sea — with a human cost millions of times that of Titanic; not lastly, because the icebergs all melted, and again, there weren’t nearly enough lifeboats to begin with. Mar-A-Lardo will be a nice reef.
MakeAmericaGoAway!!! Don’t be disappointed, order your own overpriced cheesy kitsch with MAGA lettering now, quantities are limited (backorders will not be canceled or refunded — once your money is in our tiny fists.)
celia pugliese says
I can feel the unfairness feeling of these Barrier Island Residents intended to fork an “Special Assessment” feels like selective enforcement! I sure can imagine the already high taxes they pay in that location. This county has a 324 millions budget if not more and is upsetting these residents over a 1.7 millions a year more squeeze on them that already pay the higher taxes given their location? What about the county administrators cutting some of the pork fat and fully fund the needed beach renourishment from their current budget that we contribute to our services?
Create a reserve fund to preserve the beach front other that 33 millions for a tourist welcome center another bunch of millions for new library and other than asking the fed for 69 millions plus, since 2019 to expand these airport to host the nuisance world wide students flights schools practicing dangerously over Palmcoasters while contaminating us with 750 lbs. of lead a year, ask for more after hurricanes beach rehab fed funds? After all the FDOT is involved also rehabbing the beach front so A1A doesn’t fall into the Atlantic right? Problem is the county (PC city too) as you can see have been asking for all the wrong funding too much for airport and not enough for roads and beach repair after hurricanes. We are a tourist based industry state and we need more our beaches for revenue, than these nuisance world wide students racketing dangerously over us while contaminating with lead our grounds and water. Like Mr. Watson said THINK!
Pogo says
@cp
Hi Celia,
I’m not actually understanding why you addressed me in particular; your interest, engagement, and basic decency have always been appreciated. I don’t always agree with you, but respect your comments, and your mind.
We, yes we, IMO, are standing on the edge of an actual abyss. The harsh truth is that we are 50 years too late in retreating from the sea.
Someday, and soon, folks like you and me will awaken to find that the glib con men who’ve fooled the gullible, the lazy, and naive — have moved away like thieves in the night — to some other place where they live above the law; some other place where they’ll live beyond the means of the fellow man they’re screwing there.
The dude says
“Someday” is today.
The con men are currently winning, to errybody’s detriment, only some are too foolish or too tribal to see or acknowledge it.
BLINDSPOTTING says
Yep! The airport to NOWHERE, can’t book a flight in or out,
Call and try you will be forwarded to JAX or Daytona. Its the
airport for the rich who have hangars and fly in or out every
once in awhile, Siegers buddies. At this point the land is worth
more in real estate value. If it were not for the FAA and FDOT
funding for all these years it would be in the red as the 2022
fiscal report shows close to one million dollars in the red. It does
not even provide for UPS or FED EX freight, does nothing for
our communities, this airport is NOT the economic hub as
Sieger boast it is, its all smoke and mirrors. Perhaps Sieger and
the county should look at training these world wide foreign pilots
at some of those ghost airports that have become abandoned here
in Florida, the flight school industry is a billion dollar industry
and can well afford in setting up their businesses elsewhere instead
of ruining our citizens quality of life and the taking of 5th amendment
rights., they should all be ashamed of themselves for allowing this
to happen for so long without the proper policies and procedures in
being enforced nor in place. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen and once
again there is no insurance liability for punitive damages, all involved
will be sued.
Michael john says
I propose the Flagler Beach and Flagler county work together to develope a paid parking plan along the beach for out of county folks. Local Flagler county folks would get stickers, no charge. Work out all the details as far as what to charge. Set up a low labor cost system. Maybe some charging stations attract folks off 95 charge your car visit the beach. I believe Valusia is doing this already . Proceeds towards beach maintenance not another beurocracy. Just a thought from a Flagler Beach resident.☮️
Joe D says
Volusia County starts paid parking in beach areas 1/1/25 I believe from the posted reminder signs.
Flagler Beach could do something similar in the beach areas with low cost permits for actual (documented in some way by residence or property ownership), Flagler Beach Residents.
My prior home city did it in the downtown areas using Kiosks every block
or so that printed out time parking receipts you posted in you car window. There were signs directing you to the kiosks. The Kiosks were radio /video monitored for theft or tampering, and you could use cash/coins or credit cards ( no blocks of parking meters to protect or maintain).
Deborah Coffey says
I’m not in favor of trying to save beaches for tens of millions of dollars a year. Nature will win this one. And, all building on barrier islands should be banned. Climate change is here. Ask Fort Meyers.
Joe D says
My home is a 2 bedroom/1.5 bathroom town house of 1152 sq ft facing Flagler Beach. My taxes as of this month are $6800! I am NOT a short term rental, and my income just SQUEAKS over the cut off income for the homestead tax limits.
EVERYONE uses the beach (“barrier island” residents/“non barrier island” residents/Palm Coast/ Bunnell / other Florida residents and out of state visitors). To say the beach preservation is to preserve MY PRIVATE property value is ludicrous! Protecting the beach first and foremost protects the mainland property ( ie: the meaning of a “barrier island”). It also is the tourist and business draw for the County as a WHOLE! No beach…no sales and hotel tax $$$ ( for beach area businesses AND mainland businesses). Maybe there should be a FINANCIAL discussion, of what would happen if the beach ( and its income, and tourist draw for the rest of the County ) were to be cut off? Is there enough tax and business/tourist base in Palm Coast and Bunnell to support your local County government if Flagler Beach financial input were removed due to NO FUNCTIONAL Public access beaches!?!
We ALL have a stake in maintaining the beach environment, not only for now, but planning for the future…these storms and the havoc they bring are not going away, just because our current Governor had all references to “Climate Change” removed from Florida government documents.
The Ostrich approach of sticking their head in the sand isn’t going to work with the beach problem.
Hmmm says
How does the “barrier island” protect the mainland? It wasn’t designed, yes designed, for that. If you fill in the intracoastal with dirt, it wont affect the already mainland. And how do you save a beach? If the ocean eroded all the way to walmart, there will still be a beach! What we are talking about is really trying to save a1a, homes, and businesses that were built next to a rising ocean.
Joe D says
You answered your own question: if there is no “barrier island” to stem off storms and beach eroding waves, those erosion effects would eventually affect the mainland.
Yes, the “beach” would EVENTUALLY erode its way to Walmart in Palm Coast (losing ALL the property from A1A it route I-95….you just MADE my POINT! The PURPOSE ( nature designed, not man made “design” as you called it) of a BARRIER ISLAND ( remember Geography and Science class?), is to continually take the major HIT from storms, waves and flooding so the beach erosion doesn’t MAKE it to the mainland (or to “Walmart”).
Personally, for my PROPERTY value, my 1979 elevated 8ft off the ground (20 ft above sea level) poured concrete (including interior walls ) with steel cabling(not rebar), with concrete slab floors and concrete slab roof, townhouse was ahead of it’s time for the area and is doing quite well surviving decades of storms. For the foreseeable future I have neither flooding issues, nor major wind concerns due to its unusual construction…so my “Beach concerns” are to preserve the tourist and financial DRAW the beach access ( I can’t speak to what PUBLIC beach access the HAMMOCK has), gives ALL of Flagler County, not just Barrier island residents.
I repeat again…no beachside, no tourists (or much LESS tourism), no tourism…no tourism dollars, fees and taxes ALL of which Flagler County currently enjoys in their budget!
Hmmm says
Joe, you couldn’t be more wrong. The intracoastal IS ma made. Is was originally created by connecting existing water with the river we know as the intracoastal to protect ships from having to navigate the sea. Not intended to protect land. Theres an intracoastal that was MADE that runs up the east coast atlantic, and one that runs the gulf of mexioc. Search, “is the intracoastal waterway man made”, or something of that nature. So now, by your theory which is incorrect, if you thought its purpose was to protect the mainland from storms, why would you build on the ocean, on a barrier island? Then be surprised when it takes it a hit.
Joe D says
For Hmmm,
What are you talking about. I NEVER said the Intracoastal water way was a BARRIER…of COURSE it’s man-made ( or rather man “extended). I said the Barrier Island (and it’s not MAN MADE, is the natural protection for the areas to the WEST.
And if you READ my first comment, I own a poured concrete townhouse 20ft above sea level and the home itself is 8 ft off the ground. The property has had NO flooding damage since 1979!
MY BEACH concern is for the TOURIST dollars it brings in…unless you have forgotten that you and other Floridians pay no State Income taxes due to those beaches and the combined income they help generate for the City/County/State!
For the THIRD time: No beaches, no tourists, No tourists, no tourist $$$. How long do you think the NO STATE income tax status in Florida would last with No beaches and their tourist draw?
Laurel says
Hmmm: You are partially correct. Currently, the barrier island is a barrier, as it is the first area hit. But, more importantly, it contains live oaks, salt bush, mangroves and other flora that does have its own maritime, micro climate which behaves as a barrier to those of you inland. That’s one reason we are against over development here in the “hammock,” and you should be too. Should the native flora be removed, you will indeed have no barrier. Those who profit from excessive, cookie cutter development don’t give a damn. They’ll take the money and run, leaving us with the ruins.
FlaPharmTech says
Relieved we sold our Hammock lots, despite a dream of building a modest primary residence for me and hubby. Hammock is only for the wealthy now.
The dude says
We were looking at a river lot on Hernandez 4 years ago.
To build on it would’ve been a huge huge hassle, and the trailer/junk yard next door, and it’s crazy inhabitant dissuaded us.
So thankful to have dodged that bullet.
JT says
The revenue dependent businesses’ should pay for most of this. One owns .9 miles of beachfront property in the Hammock….that is dependent on this environment to host mega $ events throughout the year for private equity benefits. Residents simply live behind it. It comprises 33% of phase 3 replenishment…
That is where the majority of money/funding should come from. This is common sense stuff. Then look at what’s left and determine a way to come up with financing…tourism taxes , state grants, and as a last resort residents participation….etc.
DaleL says
My wife and I had a home built in 2015/2016 in the Hammock. We moved to it in the spring of 2016. Later that same year, Hurricane Matthew breached the dunes and flooded our neighborhood streets with ocean water. The freshwater fish in our retention ponds died. Three of the magnolia trees, that the county required us to plant, died from salt water. We were without power for four days. Other hurricanes have nearly breached the dunes. All this in less than 9 years. We are very much in favor of the dunes being replenished, restored, whatever.
When we built and moved, we expected to pay more because of our proximity to the beach. Our property value has skyrocketed and is up by 70% (1.7x). However, because we are homestead exempt, our taxes are up by just 11.5%. The consumer price index inflation from 2017 to today is 29%. On the basis of inflation, because of homestead exemption, my wife and I are paying LESS in taxes than when we bought the house.
We do not oppose a modest additional tax that would be dedicated to beach protection and dune maintenance.
Daniel Lopez says
Use some of the money generated by the Hammock Dunes Bridge to pay foe the beach maintenance.
Margaritaville should also contribute and charge for parking.
Laurel says
Considering that Ms. Petito, and the commission, do not reside in the Hammock, I think it would be prudent to step back and reconsider assessing the Hammock residents disproportionately. Correct me if I’m wrong, but do we not already pay taxes to maintain county parks, which include beach parks? It seems that the beach parks should be included, taxing across the county, or we Hammock residents would be double taxed.
It also seems unreasonable to tax us for beaches we do not have access to. We have access to the beach parks, but not to the beaches at Hammock Dunes and the subdivisions nearby. Also, I see no access along the stretch of homes along A1A.
At the current base rate (lowest rate), of proposed tax, of $149.53 (and up) two residents going to the beach, for one hour, would cost about $75, per person, for that hour. My husband and I went to the beach, here, twice this year. The joke is, we would have to go to the beach far more often in order to reach some sort of fairness in the cost. I’m sorry, folks, but the beaches here are not that precious. This is purely for tourism, and tourism does not effect the vast majority of residents in a positive way. But, if you want to preserve this beach, then it needs to be shared across the county, and I would support that.
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in the Hammock is rich. There are many families here, that have been here way before most people here have moved in, and these families are being squeezed out. I, for one, find that very offensive. I find it offensive that these families should shoulder the cost of those, often out of county, investors who benefit the most from this project. I find it offensive that their commission does not seem to support them.
Also, to think that the populous City of Palm Coast should benefit with a disproportionate, lesser charge, is completely unreasonable.
As others, here, have mentioned, and quite fairly, the tax should be spread across the county with added assessments to vacation rentals, hotels and tourist businesses. Subdivisions and resorts with private access should also share a larger portion of the burden, along with the homes and businesses directly on the beach. That latter category consists mostly of homes. There are plenty of beach “re-nourishment” plans around the state that can be referenced. Trying to reinvent the wheel, with a small area holding up the cart, is not a good idea.
Wendy Vidor says
I live in Hammock Beach Estates and I don’t have a multi-million dollar home. I was a school teacher in Flagler County ( PhD in Environmental Horticulture Science) and my husband was a Vietnam Vet. We purchased our lot several years ago and many of our residents have been here for ages. We need to preserve out beaches and barrier islands for our future generations along with the environmental stability of of our dune systems. We are losing the battle to climate change and the increasing severity of storms but we need to be strategic to the best approach to environmental renourishment of this fragile ecosystem. If there is an additional tax it should be shared by any resident and tourist that visits those beaches include part of the tourist taxes that we receive from our county. I don’t mind paying my fair share of taxes but we are not the only residents that use our beaches. Everyone needs to contribute to mitigate our impacts on our barrier islands. They are in place to protect and nourish our waterways and wildlife. Renourishment is just not replacing sand but replanting and nourishing natural plant communities that stabilize the sand dunes with their root systems. Why do we always stick our heads in the sand when it comes to environmental protection of our most precious resources? We all need to stick together and contribute!
Laurel says
Wendy Vidor: I mostly agree with you, except, in Flagler Beach, where did the very active sand fleas and coquinas go? What of the sea life dredged up?
This activity is in the name of tourism, comprised of people who mostly couldn’t care, or know, less. Tourism benefits only a few, and is a congested burden to the rest.
Of us. It is also used to save a few businesses and homes incorrectly positioned.
If you ask Alexa to give you weather reports, you’ll find that you will get many reports, almost daily, about Rip current advisories. I’ve spent a lot of time on various Florida beaches, and this one does not rank in the top ten. I’ve never seen so many undertows in one area as there are here. This “renurishment” will be a very expensive, ongoing event, and I can guarantee you, the price will only rise.
BARBARA A ROYERE says
I live on the barrier Island. I’m not rich, I cant see the beach & cant use the beach. YOU CAN NOT & WILL NOT TAX just us.
Everyone from all over enjoys the beach. So charge them that do not live here.
Enough is enough not everyone as the luxury to live on the beach. Home on the beach should be the target. If a hurricane comes they lose their house, don’t let them rebuild. It will happen again
The toll bridge is another example the resort doesn’t want people coming to their beach.
Flagler you suck. Overbuilding. Losing trees . NO MORE TAXES
Laurel says
Don’t ya love autocorrect?
Crystal Lang says
I’m sorry but I’m taxed out. Since 2019 my taxes have gone up $2,400.00 and still can’t figure out how that happened. And now it seems the folks of Palm Coast will be getting another increase so we can flush our toilets.
sub says
Endless growth on a finite planet is going to get interesting. Don’t worry though the future projections of erosion and sea level rise are… um not important… The rcons said it was all a hoax so why do you need 8 million a year to fix a hoax?
Didn’t bootlicking ron already ban this? Let’s just deport the erosion that will show them!
sub says
Math is harsh. Avg home price in Flagler is 358,000. At current interest rates that’s 2318 a month without these sort of taxes. The average income in Flagler was 45700 pre tax at last count. That’s roughly 2/3rds of income on only shelter. You can rent and save a couple hundred but then you own nothing. merica chose to give more tax breaks to billionaires at your expense so expect taxes to go up on you but down if your a multimillionaire, billionaire, or even trillionaire. Wealth inequality is and has been going the wrong direction for decades.