The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners held their regular meeting on October 20, 2025, where they honored a local detective and addressed several ongoing community issues.
Development and Conservation Issues
Commissioners discussed several ongoing projects and concerns in the county.
Vice Chair Leanne Pennington spoke about the Old Brick Road, saying the county is approaching its fourth year of working to preserve the historic roadway. “We would like to, at least I would like to see an ILA [interlocal agreement] with the Palm Coast Board,” Pennington said, adding that this is “a good time for us to really protect the brick road.”
The Veranda Bay development project also came up during discussions. Chair Andy Dance emphasized protecting floodplain areas within the project. “The flood plain areas that are associated with that are within the Veranda Bay project should be protected to the highest degree,” he said.
Dance noted that recent king tides showed increased flooding in several areas, including Below Creek, Walter Boardman, Highbridge Road, and parts of Tamoka. He explained that development in floodplains could worsen these impacts.
Airport and Local Authority
Pennington addressed ongoing concerns about the Flagler County Airport, acknowledging the frustration of residents who speak at meetings about airport issues. She explained that the local government has limited power over airport operations.
“The state has power that you can’t supersede. The feds have power, and you’re going to find you’re very limited in what you can do,” Pennington said. She added that the Federal Aviation Administration continues to push back on local control efforts.
Marineland Property
The future of Marineland, a historic marine attraction in the county, was also discussed. Dance mentioned that the property has a new potential buyer and that the county is working to preserve 35 acres of the site.
“I would like to see that happen,” Dance said about keeping Marineland as a functional tourist attraction.
Top Detective Receives Regional Award
Master Detective Katherine Gordon of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received the Officer of the Year award from Crimestoppers of Northeast Florida. Gordon competed against officers from St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County, Volusia County, and Daytona Beach Police Department.
Gordon has worked in the major case crime unit for four years, handling serious crimes including homicides, shootings, and sexual offenses involving children. She recently investigated a multi-state sex offense case that uncovered child victims across three states and led to several arrests.
“It really means a lot to us to be recognized for the work that we do because not a lot of times we’re hearing about the good that law enforcement does,” Gordon said during the meeting.
Greg Feldman, a member of the voting committee for the award, praised Gordon’s work. “When you read Katherine’s entry from the sheriff’s office, there was just no question. You have a real star here,” he said.
In addition to her case work, Gordon has trained five new detectives and serves as a Florida Department of Law Enforcement certified instructor. She was recently promoted to master detective while completing her master’s degree.
Memorial for County Employee
The commission opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Jorge Selenus, a county employee who recently passed away. Selenus and his wife, Nancy, were buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Friday.
“Jorge’s leadership and friendship left a lasting impact on many of us here, and his legacy continues through the people and programs he helped shape,” commissioners said during the meeting.
Next Meetings
The commission’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a workshop at 1:00 p.m. the same day.
The Flagler Beach Commission will meet on October 23, where residents can provide public comment on local issues.
