The Flagler Beach City Commission has rejected a request from the County Commission to hold a joint meeting on establishing a special taxing district in the city. The tax revenue would have been earmarked for beach protection. If the county wants to talk, it should revive an earlier proposal to raise the sales tax by half a penny and appropriate that money for beach protection. Then the city would talk about an additional taxing district.
Flagler Beach’s unequivocal message was a sharp rebuff to the three county commissioners who asked for the joint meeting–and who killed the sales tax proposal: Kim Carney, Leann Pennington and Pam Richardson.
It was also the latest of repeatedly stated positions by the Flagler Beach City Commission: that it had already embraced a special taxing district when the county proposed it earlier this year, but only as part of a broader revenue package that included the sales tax increase as its centerpiece. Flagler Beach was “all in” for that approach in March, when it appeared that the County Commission was headed that way–before Carney and Richardson changed course and joined Pennington in opposing the sales tax.
Without a sales tax in the mix, Flagler Beach has been just as clear that it would not endorse a special taxing district, or what would be called an MSBU–a municipal service benefit unit (so-called because the tax, levied on property owners, would theoretically be tied to a direct benefit to those property owners, such as safeguards from erosion and its associated effects on property values.)
“We’ve had one voice on this and what our preferences [are],” Flagler Beach Commissioner Scott Spradley said at a meeting last week. “While communication is a good thing, I’m not sure about communicating about something we’ve already rejected. Now, if their other proposal was part of this workshop, that would be fine,” Sparsely said, referring to the sales tax proposal. “But they’re not coming at us with what we’ve already indicated unequivocally that we support. They’re coming with exactly what we don’t support. So I don’t support a workshop at this point. Maybe later. But not now.” The rest of his commission agreed.
Carney brought up the idea of a joint meeting at a County Commission meeting two weeks ago. She wanted one such meeting with Flagler Beach and a separate one with Beverly Beach “to go over the details and the importance of beach maintenance and MSBU in their areas.” Carney is concerned that there’s no momentum for establishing special taxing districts in the three barrier island municipalities “to make this funding plan an 18-mile funding plan.”
Flagler County has 18 miles of shoreline. The county has approved its own MSBU. It would apply only to the 10 miles of unincorporated shoreline–and for 2025-26, it would not generate any revenue. It would merely be a placeholder, billing property owners zero dollars. Barrier island residents last week were all but uniformly opposed to that MSBU–again, echoing Flagler Beach: not necessarily because they would not agree to a taxing district, but because they opposed it if it is imposed unilaterally, without a sales tax in the mix.
“The clarity that I personally need moving forward has to do with both these municipalities understanding the MSBU,” Carney said. “I do not want to discuss the half-cent sales tax. They got it. We got it. We understand. The only thing in our plan right now in Flagler County is the MSBU. I need to hear from Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach what their position is on the MSBU and whether or not they’re going to be included in our engineering study as to what type of levy that amount would be. If the other municipalities do not wish to come on board, then we are looking at a northern 10 [miles] plan that we started with over a year and a half ago. That’s all I need to know.”
Pennington felt the same way and spoke to that effect at a commission meeting attended only by her, Carney and Richardson. Commissioners Andy Dance and Greg Hansen were absent. Had they been there, they would likely have echoed Flagler Beach commissioners, seeing no purpose in holding a joint meeting on an issue Flagler Beach has clearly addressed.
“We need to really get them nailed down into the plan. I don’t get a good feeling out of Flagler Beach one way or the other what they want us to do,” Pennington said.
Flagler Beach city commissioners did not hear the invitation for a joint workshop without some disbelief–and some telling laughter in the room, too. Commissioner Eric Cooley initially led the charge against a joint meeting as he wondered what sort of MSBU the county had in mind.
“I don’t know if there’s any real straight answer that you can get from that group. I don’t believe there is,” he said, referring to the county commission, other than the ask “for an MSTU for an absurd amount of money, which isn’t even a real consideration.” (An MSTU is a different type of taxing district. Carney has previously said both should be considered, but when she was seeking the joint meeting, her attention was on an MSBU similar to the one the county approved, not an MSTU. An MSBU is a flat fee. An MSTU is more directly based on a property owner’s tax bill, so owners with higher valued properties would pay more.)
Flagler Beach Commissioner Rick Belhumeur said “there seemed to be a sliver of an appetite by everyone, except for the county, for the half-cent” sales tax. He was referring to a recent joint meeting of local governments.
“During the multi-municipality meeting, all the municipalities collectively agreed that doing a referendum for the half-cent sales tax was the desired approach,” Cooley said. He was overstating the case: The representatives at that meeting agreed to discuss it with their respective boards. There was not much enthusiasm for the approach, either, as most of the representatives knew what members of the public told them at that meeting: a referendum would fail. For now, the different municipalities have not agreed to a referendum.
Cooley said the workshop with the county would be premature, and called it “odd.”
“Keep in mind that part of the original proposal was an MSBU for $160,” Cooley said. “We unanimously said yes. So to have a workshop for anything else only means one thing. We know what direction this is going, and that is not the direction that I’m understanding everybody is for. They’re definitely not wanting to have a discussion about an MSBU being more fair and equitable. I can tell you that.”
Laurel says
The county is nuts if they think they are going to get away with putting the bulk on the residents here. Palm Coast is nuts if they think they can get away with a free ride.
Do the 1/2 cent sales tax and throw it all on the beach. Assess private homes, condos, resorts, clubs and private gated communities with direct beach access and the the tourist businesses more. Stop trying to screw the residents who simply live east of the river, or retired in Flagler Beach. My husband and I have not been to the beach, here, once this year. We’ve been to the panhandle beaches, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Anastasia State Park, but not here.
Stop catering to your favorites, and, no county commissioners live on the barrier island, so they, too, would get a free ride.
Fairness doesn’t seem to be in the county vocabulary. Maybe unemployment will.
Shutterfly says
The blame game, blaming the the three lady Commissioners when this was a problem for several years before them.
Another bad plan by the County Administrator.
She has now blamed everyone. Leaving no place to go.
Poor planned budget is Petito’s process.
I’m not voting for a sales tax and City of Flagler Beach you guys can go scratch!
john stove says
People who live on the barrier Island should pay for its re-nourishment. They don’t want hard armoring (seawall) which will help a lot and instead rely on dredging and transporting sand $$$$
The argument that “the whole county benefits from the beach” is pure BS……
If they feel that other county residents (who don’t live on the Island) should help pay for beach maintenance then enact a parking fee and according to that logic they will be able to raise tons of money as apparently we are all flocking to the beach every day by the thousands!!!!
NO SALES TAX FOR BEACH PROTECTION
Ed P says
Common sense might prevail.
Pierre please continue to keep the truth in the spot light.
Neighbors, continue to attend meetings, send emails, ask for meetings.
This is how government is supposed to work.
Islanders ware not asking for welfare, just equity.
Ed White says
This is not and should not be about who uses the beach. Without a Beach Management Plan including ongoing beach maintenance and renourishment, guess what goes away? Tourism. You may say so what? So what is what happens if the annual $900 million economic impact that tourism brings with it goes away. And that $900 million touches every citizen in every area of Flagler County. Something would have to replace that. Guess what… it would be higher taxes or a lower quality of life – take your pick. And that would be all because people would not agree to pay an extra 50 cents on a $100 purchase. That’s right – a mere 50 cents added to your $100 night out. That is the definition of penny-wise and pound foolish. Except, it’s only half a penny this time…
Larry says
Flagler Beach is correct; the 3 county commissioners are wrong and they should support the 1/2 tax. If not, the 3 county commissioners need to be voted out.
Sherry says
I would like to know precisely why no serious consideration has been given to a toll for the SR 100 bridge into Flagler Beach? The residents of Flagler Beach would of course have an annual barcoded/scanned sticker that would (for a fee?) exempt them from the toll.
In that way, those who visit the beach would contribute to its upkeep, while those who do not can just stay home and stop commenting here on this subject.
Barbara says
Flagler County would have anything without the beach. As we have been told time and time again we don’t own the beach so why should anyone group of people be responsible for the upkeep.
Jerleen Allen says
The beaches are public to anyone and everyone who wishes to use them. And yes their maintenance and renourishment is essential. Have never heard of a select group of residents carrying the financial burden to maintain public property! The 1/2 tax increase sounds good and possibly easiest to put in place. Possibly it’s time to require paid beach passes by those who want to use the beaches.
Ed P says
FYI
County doesn’t have the authority to put up tolls on state roadways. That has been questioned. Only DOT could. It has also been queried as to the feasibility of working something similar with the dunes bridge for non county residents, Dunes Bridge mgmt isn’t interested.
Besides, tolls or paid parking would probably cost residents more than the half penny tax.
Threaten my quality of life?? says
This is crazy. Screw the beach! I have been here for 30 years and guess what…we already have a lower quality of life now! 900 million in tourism does nothing but cause congestion and prices to rise. In the 90s this was an awesome community. All you tax amd spend RINOS should camper back the the states of New York and jersey that you turned long ago with your way of thinking.
greg says
Just like a bunch of children trying to get their way. Either raise the sales tax or put a pay gate for going over the bridge. Islanders do not have to pay. This way, Palm Coast residence will pay their toll. I’ll bet it’s cheaper to pay the half penny tax. GROW UP LEADERS.
TR says
Sherry, the toll idea won’t work because there are other ways to get to the beach without going across the bridge. Not to mention it will also cut down the business to businesses that are along A1A in Flagler beach.
Evelyn says
@Ed White,
Excellent comments and truth. People here don’t seem to understand that the beach is our economy here. Whether you use it or not, all benefit from it. The 1/2 cent sales tax is the most fair solution, and the only one which also is paid into by our tourists.
When did elected officials stop representing their residents? These ladies are refusing to listen.
Duncan says
A little common sense would go a long way for those who don’t believe the beaches sustain Flagler County’s economy — and why beach renourishment must be a countywide initiative. Whether you personally go to the beach or not is irrelevant. We live in a community whose number one asset is the beach. The revenue it generates sustains the entire county — and all of us who call it home.
Fernando Melendez says
This is the result of kicking the can down the road for the last 25 years, now here we are. The blame is squarely on the county and Flagler Beach for not working on this years ago. And both are fiscally irresponsible with out of control spending coupled with not allowing industries to set up shop in our industrial zoned areas losing much needed revenue. Sorry but I’m a hard NO for the half cent sale tax.
Laurel says
Sherry: Highway 100 is a state road, and the bridge is a state bridge. Flagler Beach and Flagler County have no jurisdiction. Parking kiosks are the alternative. As it is now, those of us living in the Hammock have to pay a toll every time we go home over the Dunes bridge. Many of us do not live in the Dunes, all we get is a discount. The same discount that the tourists and business suppliers get with a card. I would think that between the heavy bridge traffic, and the tolls it brings in, and with the condo fees, HOA fees, restaurant revenue, club revenue, golf revenue and membership fees, that the Dunes should be able to protect their own properties. They actually advertise beach repair to attract customers. They don’t advertise that it’s on those who do not enjoy their amenities.
Personally, I don’t give a damn about tourism. I grew up in south Florida, and I’ve seen what tourism and growth has done to the area. It has become crowded beyond belief, and unaffordable as well. Investors hang onto empty office buildings. They buy up homes and apartment buildings. It doesn’t do any residents favors unless they are directly involved with the businesses themselves. Your taxes won’t go down; your problems won’t go away. We came here to get away from it. Go down there and look for yourselves. Paradise lost. Tourists not clogging the streets? Vacation rentals becoming real homes again? Sounds good to me.
Also, “re-nourishment” is a euphemism. There is nothing “nourishing” or “healthy” about it. It is dredging sea life onto the shore, and covering the natural sea life that is already there, or pouring on a sand not made from shells over everything. But, money rules all.
I’m not crazy about a sales tax increase, but the fact of the matter is that many counties in Florida have a 7.5% sales tax. It is not uncommon. It’s also not that dramatic. Everyone needs to join in if you want a beach. Y’all came here to live coastal, stop denying it. Others here built or bought directly on the ocean. Take care of your properties yourselves. If a 1/2 cent sales tax ends the mess the administrators made, do it.
Our commissioners, and current administration, have done a marvelous job of dividing us all up. Seems like the way these days.
The Villa Beach Walker says
Sherry, here’s an idea. Why doesn’t the City install a toll booth in front of Walmart, requiring everyone to pay a toll when entering and exiting? They don’t do that because Walmart is on private property. SR100 stands for State Road 100. The roadway and the bridge are owned by the State of Florida. The City of Flagler Beach cannot start collecting tolls on a roadway over a bridge it does not own. Next, you’ll say, but what about the Hammock Dunes bridge? That bridge is owned by the Dunes Community Development District, not Palm Coast, not Flagler County, and not the State of Florida.
Ron says
The Female county commissioner’s will pay dearly for having zero common sense. They may not live on the barrier island but there voters do.
You are know put on notice. Vote for the 1/2 cent sales tax or you will be defeated in the next election!
Mothersworry says
It would seem that the entire county benefits from the “beach”. The tourists that it brings spend money all over the county, thus providing jobs. With the tax dollars collected, the county receives a bundle, an amount that would be levied on the residents of the entire county were it not for the “beach”. Seems only fair that everybody share the expense to maintain the “beach”.
While we are on the “beach”, when does the county do the re nourishment on the “beach”, south of the water tower, to the county line that it said it would do?? It is just a steep slope at high tide.
Ed P says
Paid parking might be a nonstarter because the infinitesimal incremental revenue they would derive above and beyond enforcement costs probably creates too much bad will.
No bang for the buck problem.
Can you imagine the outrage when going to Flagler Beach to eat?
The 1/2 cent sales tax is again 1 penny on $2.00
Incorporated Palm Coast is offered 2.7 million dollars of the revenue while the county receives 2.4 million. Since the entire county pays plus those pesky tourists, it’s conceivable in the future as the county population increases that Palm Coast profits from this split ( inter local agreement) and is returned back more than they pay for their very own infrastructure projects, which they sorely need.
There is also a built in revenue multiplier of these estimates, if the county grows so will the tax revenue. Expansions like Haws Creek is one example.
So to all our Palm Coast neighbors, your tax expense might return dividends beyond the cost. Like throwing a popsicle in an ant hill. Don’t be too foolish. How often could a local tax actually return more to your community than you paid?
Sunny says
The 3 women are an embarrassment. They need to do some research on how government works exactly.
Best thing for the county is to RESIGN. Never been so mortified to be a female & watch the fumbling & arrogance.
marvin clegg says
Everyone seems focused on where to find more money to “save the coast.” Florida is a series of sand dunes,with ridges, like the barrier island. It was once underwater. Prof. Joseph Donoghue at UCF is quoted by Channel 6, saying that sea levels will be over a meter higher by the end of this century, unless more of Antarctica breaks off–then it could be over 2 meters higher. His models are not alone in this prediction. A one meter increase will flood about 10% of Florida — see https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/2025/09/15/how-soon-will-florida-be-underwater-heres-a-map/ for a map. We sold our house on the Intracoastal Waterway in Flagler after unusually high tidewaters flooded many areas that old-timers said would never flood, following a hurricane. We loved the waterway. We made a business decision and did not expect taxpayers to stop Mother Nature. I think we need to stop blaming some prudent county commissioners who recognize millions of tax dollars have been washed away in the past, and will wash away in the future –their budgets are not a bottomless pit and the vast majority of Americans are requesting tax relief and asking our leaders to have the courage to question special interest groups and lobbyists. Raising taxes to throw more sand at rising seas is not supported by many scientists or most taxpayers. Name-calling or bullying behavior and threats are easy, but they are taking the place of rational discussion of the sciences and engineering involved, which is not so easy as any folks who have sat through the workshops and seminars or lectures on this stuff know all too well .
Ed P says
Final attempt to reduce to the ridiculous and monetize the resistance of unilaterally imposing the 1/2 cent sales tax upon all of Flagler County for the beach project.
First about 20% of total county retail revenue comes from tourism. Another small percentage would also be paid by non county residents who visit our retail establishments That costs Flagler County residents zero. Our visitors and neighboring county residents fund our beaches too.
If Median income in the county is estimated to be $60,000 (ball park US census) and 40-45% is spent on retail expenditures, then a $25,000 estimate is a fair estimate of retail spending or about $2000 per month. Obviously, gasoline is not affected, some utilities, some repair labor and medication/doctors , grocery store food items , house payments or rent, and things like insurances are excluded along with many others tax exempt items.
The estimated % of family taxable purchases is 40% of that $25,000 or about $10,000.
Here’s the tax cost of the 1/2 penny….
10,000 x 1/2 cent = $50
That $50 per year per family is the hill our County Commissioners may decide to die on.
Yet, they had no problem with passing a MSBU at zero dollar for next year without any projection of what the future costs could be if the sales tax fail. If additional funding is not included, the 12 million dollar cost can now be imposed on just 6300 parcel. Commissioners are quick to say that’s not true, but basic math exposes a $1940 starting price tag because it’s the only taxing authority they have for that same MSBU. Digest that.
In summary, an ongoing funding stream has to be established to garner the state and federal funds. The total project is about 114 million dollars and Flagler county pays just 10% of the total. That’s an incredible ROI (return on investment). That means your $50 contribution to beach re-nourishment returns to the county $500. Digest that.
Who in the world would not endorse the tax. Cheaper than tolls, cheaper than paid parking, cheaper than beach passes and totally affordable. Not one wants to pay more for anything, but the beach is our biggest and greatest asset and this incremental 1/2 cent tax is almost invisible. Islanders will still pay an additional MSBU. It’s palatable and almost heartburn free.