It’s not something the County Commission wanted to do, but it had no choice.
With its administration’s promise that it’s only for a short time–a matter of days–the Flagler County Commission this afternoon approved drawing $15.7 million out of its reserves to pay the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the county’s share of the cost of the long-awaited beach-rebuilding project from just north of the Flagler Beach pier to Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area. The Corps is set to bid out the project in late February.
The commission did so by approving a pair of so-called “interfund loans” out of its reserves, one for $13.6 million, and one for $2.145 million, the latter out of its Disaster Recovery fund.
Flagler County’s cost share of that federal project is $15.74 million. That’s the sum that will be wired to the Corps of Engineers, says John Brower, the county’s finance director. The federal government is picking up the remaining cost of what will exceed $35 million by the time more than 1.5 million cubic yards of sand are duped on 3.5 miles of beach.
Flagler County itself is not actually paying for its share: the Florida Department of Transportation is picking up that cost–at some point. (The Legislature awarded the additional $2.145 million now coming out of the Disaster Recovery fund.)
“We do expect that the bulk of the funding that we’re receiving to pay for the non federal portion will be coming from FDOT,” County Administrator Heidi Petito told the County Commission today.”
The county expected the money from the state Friday. Had that happened, Petito would not have had to submit the request for the $16.1 million today. But the money wasn’t wired. It became essential for the county to front the money from its reserves, so as not to risk further delays in the Army Corps’ schedule. The project has been delayed many years as it is. The County Commission is not meeting again until February.
“We request the non-federal share in the amount of $15,740,000 to be deposited via wire transfer no later than January 19, 2024,” the Army Corps’ Milan Mora wrote the county on Dec. 11, “to avoid any delays with the start of the procurement package review currently scheduled to start January 29, 2024, followed by contract advertisement on February 29, 2024.” Though that’s not mentioned in the Mora letter, Petito said the county has a “grace period” until Jan. 29.
Petito said the money might never leave the county’s reserves by the time the state’s payment comes through. But commissioners were nervous about the amount of money that could be pulled out, not only cutting the reserves more than in half, but also reducing the county’s operational reserve to the equivalent of four weeks or less, instead of eight. This would not be the time for the county to experience an unforeseen, costly event.
“At the worst what type of carry–how many days are we looking at?” Commission Chairman Andy Dance asked.
“There’s no guarantee. Typically it’s quick,” Petito said.
The administration is hoping not to have to draw down the reserves. “We notice being processed right now. It’s just a timing issue,” Al Hadeed, the county attorney who’s shepherded te Army Corps project from its inception through a maze of complications, said.
The Army Corps, Flagler County and Flagler Beach began exploring a beach “renourishment,” or rebuilding, project south of the pier over 20 years ago, when costs would have been a fraction of what they became. A feasibility study was completed in 2014. Congress approved funding a 2.6-mile rebuilding segment in 2017. The county and the Army Corps signed an agreement in 2019 committing Flagler County to a 50-year rebuilding project for that segment, and a concurrent payment responsibility. The agreement also extends the breadth of the project to North 7th Street at one end, an to 1,000 feet north of Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area at the south end.
For the initial project–the one starting this year–the county’s share would be 35 percent, the federal share would be 65 percent. But in subsequent “renourishments,” which, in 2019, were expected to happen every nine or 10 years, the county’s share would rise to 50 percent. While Flagler County–and more particularly, Faith al-Khatib, the former county engineer–successfully negotiated funding for the initial stage that relies entirely on state sources, no such agreements are in place for the 50 percent cost-share portion in future renourishments, and al-Khatib mysteriously disappeared off the county’s employment last year. But state government has been shifting increasing shares of the state budget to combating sea rise, calling it by a euphemism (“resiliency”) and awarding local coastal governments millions in aid to repair beaches, on an emergency and more relatively durable basis.
The dune-rebuilding the Corps of Engineers is about to start in Flagler Beach will dredge a somewhat darker kind of sand than the version whitening beaches now, from a borrow site 10.25 nautical miles offshore. The reconstruction will widen the existing beach, providing more recreation area. But Jason Harrah, the Corps’ project engineer from its start, often cautions that the initial renourishment may need additional reconstruction for it to stick. Even then, serious storms, natural erosion and rising seas will continue grinding away at the sand. The Corps expects to have to rebuild the sands every 11 years, sooner in case of major disasters.
Construction is expected to begin in May or June, and to be completed by January 2025.
Jerome says
Just build a seawall and case closed. It’s nothing but a circus act every year replacing sand.
Dennis C Rathsam says
What a waste of tax payers money! Mother Nature wins everytime….
Tjmelton says
Oh, hell, just raise county property taxes again. Balance the whole mess on the tax payers.
palmcoaster says
We in Palm Coast also paying for this, but at least we do not rattle against it like when Pontieri try the idea of having a water front beach park for Palm Coast ceded by the county, most in the hammock and beach front jumped “against her like overboiling milk” just to say the least.
All those trendy water front home owners sure get our inland Palmcoasters support for these projects ( so lets do same back when Palmcoasters need of you as well…
Hope Pettito’s Russian Roulette expectation does not fail…as is not good to raid reserves for unintended uses and maybe not so much according to the law. This is why change is needed in 2024.
HayRide says
You knew it wa coming, you spent time in court fighting the hold out, and you didn’t budget for or plan better. How is this news?
Erod says
Now that the county has begged, borrowed and manipulated for the millions of dollars to rebuild the dunes along A1A, the majority of the dune replenishment going to fortify the private beaches of the million dollar homes which lines the coast has anybody questioned what the plan is when the next storm comes through?
The county spent millions in dune repair so far in the Hammock area which I remember the county engineer Faith Atlikaba embarrassing had to state to the commission that the majority of dune sand recently replenished at taxpayer expense was “RECLAIMED” by the sea already.
By the way where is our county engineer Faith Atlikaba ? She has been conspicuously absent in the last few months. Ms. Atlikaba was in charge of the multimillion dollar projects as well as the money.
Flagler County an enormous money pit that gets bigger and bigger. They should rename this place the Flagler Triangle, every time a dollar comes to town it mysteriously disappears.
FlaglerLive says
A sea wall is being built just south of the replenishment area, and another was built north of it.
Time says
It is a beach replenishment. I would rather spend money ever 3 to 5 years on sand then million’s a year on street lights bill.
Samuel says
All these years and it will never get resolved. Mother Nature is in control.
Deborah Coffey says
What makes men think they can stop an ocean, especially in the middle of climate change. I agree; this is a total waste of money and effort for whose benefit?
Mark says
“We request the non-federal share in the amount of $15,740,000 to be deposited via wire transfer no later than January 19, 2024,” the Army Corps’ Milan Mora wrote the county on Dec. 11,…” Nothing like waiting until the last second.
Now to start planning for rerouting A1A because this money is going to go out to sea eventually.
Pogo says
@Meanwhile
The fortunate in FL are quietly sneaking out the back door to higher ground while a growing segment of under and self-insured (euphemism for uninsured) property owners sink into despair about when, not if, they are blown to hell.
The filthy rich, who keep FL: a leader in regressive taxation, while a burgeoning cohort of the elderly sink into poverty where the working class young have always been — they (the cloud dwellers) simply fly away when skies darken.
And so it goes.
Chris says
15 million dropped in the ocean next storm, unbelievable!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Heidi Petito and Al Hadeed both need to be fired. They dictate everything and the commissioners just rubber stamp just about everything. I tried; I failed – now we are planning to leave the most corrupt, incompetent county we have ever lived in. We love our home but are sick of looking at a rat infested abandoned hotel for 13 years with a sign ” Hotel and Restaurant coming soon”; we are revolted with the money paid to Captains and the ineptness of the commissioners to read the original lawsuit before payout out and refusing to pay a dime!
When a citizen has to take the time to ask a judge to hear, for the first time, a case the county paid over $30,000 to file 2 years ago but has never, not one time, set one motion for a court hearing in front of the judge. It’s time to look for greener pastures.
My husband and I have poured our life’s savings ( and continue) to maintain, improve and add to our ‘castle’ but our castle is unfortunately located in a unhealthy political cess pool.
Going on 22 years of our money, sweat, labor and love we are being suffocated by those in power who don’t give a damn about anyone other than themselves ( with few exceptions – very few)
We left Miami-Dade for a less corrupt, more quiet life and more green space. Miami-Dade had some scruples; Miami-Dade listened to its citizens; Miami-Dade County officials never politically abused their constituents to the degree we have experienced -April will be 22 years. Very sad; very financially and emotionally unhealthy to have our lives controlled by a den of snakes.
If the commissioners have the guts to FIRE PETITO and HADEED and we might consider staying…
palmcoaster says
Dennis was in 2019 and always straight to the point as the commissioners keep approving to bankrupt us:
Flagler About To Sign 50-Year, $100 Million Deal to Rebuild 2.6 Miles of Dunes in Flagler Beach. It Has Only a Fraction of the Money. | FlaglerLive
Reply
Dennis McDonald says
JUNE 15, 2019 AT 9:08 AM
WOW….Staged by Con Man Coffey with a Contract written by HADEED with the FEDERAL Government and NO exit clause without BIG penalty !!
This is one GIANT Sheriff HQ./Sears/Captain Bings/Plantation Bay Utility/Old Courthouse Flop, train wreck coming…..STOP.
Debt makes free Citizens into Slaves.
NEEDED Three Votes for NO !
Hammock Huck says
Al Hadeed has been at the forefront of protecting Flagler County for many years.
Help you pack Tim says
I would say we will miss you but there will be some nut to replace you when you leave.
Chris says
A 5 year old can look at the picture and determine that you can’t have roads and homes 100 feet from the Atlantic ocean!
Ed P says
FYI
There are over 1000 turtle nests annually on Flagler’s beaches.
Can a sea turtle or hatchlings climb over a sea wall?
Nick says
integrityplusonline@gmail.com
Erod says
That’s because 5 year olds do not sit on a county planning boards, don’t attend barbecues with and approve multimillion dollar homes for their builder buddies.
Imagine if they did ?