The Flagler County Public Library in Palm Coast will see a sharp, 23 percent reduction in hours of operation–from 52 to 40 hours a week–and a significant reduction in staffing as the new south side library, known as the Nexus Center, opens later this year, itself with slightly fewer staff than originally planned. Each library will be closed two days a week. For the Palm Coast branch, that means no more Monday hours. It’s been closed on Sunday.
The Flagler County Commission today agreed to the more restrictive staffing and operation plan today. It discarded a more expansive plan that would have added six net new positions to staff both libraries (with a total of 24, plus a part-timer) and enabled the Palm Coast branch to remain open six days a week instead of five.
The county administration calls it “operational efficiency adjustments.”
On one hand, the new plan slightly dims what was expected to have been a celebratory ribbon-cutting at the new library as it amounts to a net reduction in service for the county’s largest population center and reflects the commission’s limited commitment to the library system: it would have never required such a cobble job if, say, it was opening a sheriff’s substation or a firehouse, when staffing at full strength and maximum hours is never questioned.
On the other hand, the county is getting the second library that previous commissioners and the Library Board of Trustees have been envisioning for over a decade, with expanded services in a building that can serve the growing population in Bunnell and Palm Coast’s south side. Between the two libraries, Flagler County residents will have seven-day service, since the operation hours at the two libraries are staggered in such a way as to never have a day without a library open at either location.
It was half a victory for Commissioner Kim Carney, who on May 28 had told the county administrator, “You want six new employees for the library? Forget it. Forget it.” She had not specified how many she would support, but the plan she’d proposed at the time was to cull five existing employees, including Assistant County Administrator Holly Albanese, and send them to the Nexus Center.
Instead, commissioners agreed to add three net new positions to library staffing, one of them Albanese, who still oversaw the library as assistant administrator, after being the library director for years. There will be a total of 21 library employees, plus a part-timer.
That option will cost the county an additional $178,000, which County Administrator Heidi Petito suggested could be offset with revenue the library draws from issuing passports. In 2024, the library processed more than 3,500 passports and generated $170,000 in revenue. Commission Chair Andy Dance would rather not use that money for personnel right now.
“I’ve reduced administration’s budget to ensure that the Nexus Center has adequate staffing, which does include moving Holly’s position back to the library,” Petito said. Five staffers from the Palm Coast branch will be moved to the Nexus Center. Two staffers employed at the temporary Bunnell branch at Marvin’s Garden will also move to the Nexus Center, which will have 11 employees (or the equivalent of 11 full-time employees). Palm Coast will have 10, and a part-timer. Because of conditions attached to grant funding that financed the Nexus Center, that library must have a minimum staffing of 11.
“ This is a pure example of why grants aren’t free,” Carney said. “We had to commit to 11 employees to get that grant, so I wasn’t here again. I’m not passing judgment on anybody, but grants are not free.” She added: “I want to see a very successful Nexus center. I want to see a very successful Palm Coast library, and I know we can get it done.”
The administration submitted three library-funding options to the commission. One of the other two would have added six net new positions. A third would have reduced operational hours in Palm Coast even more, to just 37, and added no net new staffers, though Palm Coast would have been left with a skeletal crew. The option that Albanese had previously included–closing the Palm Coast branch–was not among the three that made it before commissioners today. They opted for what was designed as the middle ground.
The library in Palm Coast is currently open six days a week–Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 to 5. When the Nexus Center opens, Palm Coast will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. only on Tuesday and Wednesday. It will be open from 10 to 5 Thursday and Friday, and from 9 to 5 Saturday.
“We’ve made some operational efficiency adjustments to ensure that our resources are aligned with community’s highest priorities,” Petito said, addressing the larger budget overview. “These changes should really not come as a surprise. I know that we’ve discussed some of these during our one-on-one meetings.”
Beyond library funding, budget reductions from earlier projections amount to $1.4 million, which includes reducing firefighters’ overtime by $300,000 and eliminating three positions from the county’s fleet-management division, for a saving of $246,000.
It also reduces the county’s administrative overhead by $113,000, and a cut in what had been a projected six new positions to staff the new south-side library, known as the Nexus Center, to three, reducing costs by $179,000. But Flagler Beach will also be losing the county’s contribution of $106,000 for lifeguards.
Anonymous says
The commissioners are against doing what’s best for the community and would rather spend your tax dollars on things that are already overfunded or tourists areas and not for the communities that genuinely need it. Petito is another issue that needs to be dealt with. She has been one of the worst administrators of Flagler county. She does whatever the commissioners say just so she can keep her job.
JC says
“I want to see a very successful Nexus center. I want to see a very successful Palm Coast library, and I know we can get it done.”
With the limited hours on both locations the hours are super not convenient for families who live on the north party of the city. I live near the Palm Coast Branch, and I have banker hours for my job. On an average work week the only time that I can go visit the Palm Coat branch is Monday/Tuesday/Saturday. Those who have to work and have kids will be limited with the hours for Wednesday – Friday. The Nexus hours are slightly better for working families, but being closed on Fridays and Saturdays is just a giant FU for those who live near 100 and Bunnell (including their families). These limited hours will in a way not make both libraries successful and it a slap in the face for families.
This is one of many reasons I continue to go up to the St. Johns County Southeast Library branch off US1/206. It’s 15 minutes away from my house in the F-Section and it is a night/day difference. They are open seven days a week, they are open late three days during the work week up until 8 PM, have a huge selection of books and they do a much better job of curtailing their books than Flagler County Library. Also, the programing they offer is I think is better and no cost for ILL Loans for more things than just books. Flagler Country Residents via reciprocal agreements can get free one-year non-residential cards from both Volusia County Library System an d St. Johns County Library system. Yes, since Volusia County and St. Johns County are bigger/more funded than Flagler County, but I take my time/energy and used it with the St. Johns County Library System. Going forward I’ll just use the Flagler Country Library for Passport services, but may not even borrow books from them again.
Dismayed says
It is obvious that the County Commission members have not been to the library to see just how many people go to the library Families with children will not be able to go between 9 and 5 as most will not be home from work/child pick up. Many students alos use the library after 5pm. Just another disappointment living in Flagler County/Palm Coast.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
“The county administration calls it “operational efficiency adjustments.””
I call it B.S.
Merrill Shapiro says
Orwellian language is a dead giveaway here. Efficiencies are Efficiencies! Reductions are Reductions! Public servants who try to convince us that Reductions are Efficiencies are not serving us but rather trying to pull the wool over our eyes. A growing county needs a growing library system with growing support for our libraries!
just wait for it says
It’s encouraging to see that the Bunnell Library will now be open five days a week, increasing access to the community with 41 hours of service instead of the previous 40. This is a positive and necessary step forward.
However, I’d like to express serious concern regarding a conflict of interest involving Commissioner Andy Dance. His wife holds the position of Executive Assistant to County Administrator Heidi Petito. Given that any decisions regarding cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or merit increases could directly impact his household income, Commissioner Dance should abstain from voting on these matters. This conflict undermines public trust in the integrity of county leadership.
In my view, either Commissioner Dance should recuse himself from related votes, or his wife should not hold an administrative position. The dual roles present an unavoidable ethical concern.
I also agree with previous community comments that County Administrator Heidi Petito’s leadership has raised serious questions. In addition, Jorge Salinas and Holly Albanese have played significant roles that warrant further scrutiny. The residents of Flagler County deserve accountable, transparent leadership — and it’s time these issues are addressed directly and publicly
Janet sullivan says
I am not a guru on funding by any stretch, but it surprises me that with all of the growth the library funding hasn’t grown accordingly. But perhaps with reduced services like this, when the word gets out, there won’t be as much growth. The public expects government services. That’s what government is for.
rodney says
I vote for fully funding and fully staffing the Palm Coast library and the Bunnell library. I vote no on upcoming increases in staffing for other organizations in Flagler.
Bill says
It’s disturbing to see that the library in Palm Coast will only be open five days per week and, only open until 7 p.m on two days per week. I view our libraries as part of the system that helps educate our
population, both children and adults.
I suppose the vacancies in Palm Coast for a City Manager and Utilities Director are also contributing to “operational efficiencies “.
What Else Is New says
Oh for heaven’s sake. The county is taking a page from the Trump book of making it difficult to enjoy public services. Folks, here is another example of living in a police state. Closing off some access to a public library is unconscionable.
Jay Tomm says
The option we REALLY needed was a new smaller Bunnell building, & a renovation of the Palm coast library. Could have been done for a fraction of cost. With only 1 new position to staff the Bunnell branch.
Knightmomoftwo says
Why wouldn’t Heidi do what the commissioners say, she gets direction from them. Sort of a silly remark. Is she supposed to tell them no? Then she may lose her job.
Agreed says
Thank you @justwaitforit
No one ever wants to say what is really going on. It’s like everybody knows it’s happening, but no one does anything. We keep hearing the same thing over and over. The commissioners are apparently not happy with the administration – then why are they still there?
Holly needs to go back to the library, she’s getting paid way too much to be that top heavy in a small county.
The employees are miserable and running a muck. She has an inexperienced kid running her human resources department that she handpicked. A finance director getting paid a lot of money with an DUI! And the commissioners are just turning a blind eye?
How about somebody finally put their foot down? Andy Dance need to find another job and should’ve never been able to take that seat with his wife so close to the county administrator.
This is all of the small town garbage that destroys our government.
Enough says
The County was forced to have 11 staff members at the ridiculous Nexus Center as a condition to Grant money. All this to appease Holly Albanese, Heidi best Bud . Now they are laying off longtime personnel to pay for this . Employees with new babies now will be without insurance so Heidi’s friends are taken care of. This Commission needs to start cutting the grossly top heavy, and over paid management in the County. Talk of a Ecotourism center for Flagler County. What a farce. Flagler Beach is all the actual tourism this county has. They already do a fine job. Eliminate the entire tourism department and save a huge sum. Start charging at Princess Place. This will keep the riff raff out and get the historical buildings restored. There is no vision for this amazing park the former park supervisor told me they had the money available for restoration. Well, why has nothing been done? Mismanagement and zero vision. Historical buildings are deteriorating rapidly, and nothing is being done? Why? We need another Library like a hole in the head. The entire council needs to be voted out. Petito and greasy Juan need to be fired immediately.
Big Mike says
The last time I went to a Public Library might have been in 1974. With online access to books, data, e books, physical visits to Public Libraries have declined year over year. When were you in a Library last?
JC says
Big Mike, I was in the library yesterday. In fact, tons of people visit the library. Not everyone can afford to purchase books all the time, and not everyone is into technology to do ebooks (which actually cost the library more money to do ebooks than physical books). More people use the library than you think.
Concerned Voter says
Awww..what will all those deadbeats that sleep in the library do now??