The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners held a workshop on December 1, 2025, covering several topics, including a 10-year transit development plan, economic development coordination efforts, sheriff’s office signage, and a resident’s concerns about library service reductions.
Transit Development Plan Presentation
The meeting opened with a presentation from the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida regarding Flagler County’s 2026 to 2035 Transit Development Plan. Jonathan Roberson, project manager for the study, explained that the state requires designated public transportation providers to develop such plans every five years.
Roberson noted that Flagler County Public Transportation currently provides prescheduled demand-response services, operating door-to-door for those who qualify, including disabled, elderly, low-income residents, and those with limited mobility. The county operates a 27-vehicle fleet but does not currently offer any fixed route service for the general public.
The county’s population has grown approximately 47 percent since 2010 and now stands at about 140,000, with projections showing it could exceed 200,000 by 2050. Roberson said this growth, combined with increasing employment and a significant population of residents over 65, suggests there may be a need for expanded public transportation options.
Commissioner Greg Hansen raised concerns about what he called “the elephant in the room,” asking how residents would get to and from bus stops given that the county was not designed with bus transportation in mind. Roberson acknowledged the first-mile and last-mile challenge is common in communities with similar geography and said the plan would examine potential solutions, including flexible microtransit services and accommodations for e-bikes on buses.
An online survey collecting public input on transportation needs had received 402 responses at the time of the meeting and would remain open until December 12. The board reached consensus to move forward with the planning process.
Economic Vitality Committee Discussion
Helga Van Eckert from the county’s economic development office presented information about a potential Blue Ribbon Committee that would coordinate economic development efforts between Flagler County and the City of Palm Coast. The presentation referenced the Tallahassee-Leon County Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency as a potential model for regional cooperation.
Van Eckert explained that Palm Coast represents approximately 80 percent of the county’s population and has expressed interest in formalizing coordination with the county on economic development matters. She noted that the county already works with Palm Coast and regional partners through Jax USA, a northeast Florida economic development organization.
Commissioner Leann Pennington expressed concerns about ensuring all municipalities in the county feel included in such an arrangement, noting that some smaller jurisdictions have not consistently participated in recent collaborative efforts.
Commissioner Andy Dance emphasized the importance of keeping the economic development committee separate from a joint planning committee that is also being developed with Palm Coast to address issues like annexation and long-range growth planning.
The board reached consensus to continue exploring the partnership concept, with Commissioner Pennington remaining neutral due to her concerns.
Sheriff’s Office Signage Approval
Mark Sherbridge from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office presented two design options for lettering to be added to a county building identifying it as the Sheriff Rick Staly Operations Center. One option featured brushed silver lettering while the other featured dark green lettering to match existing signage on the building.
Commissioner Dance asked whether Sheriff Staly could retain the title of sheriff after leaving office. Sherbridge confirmed that sheriff is a professional title that follows the individual. The monument sign at the road will change with each new sheriff.
The board reached consensus to proceed with the dark green lettering option, which commissioners agreed was more visible and matched the existing color scheme.
Public Comment on Library Services
Kathleen Duffy, a Palm Coast resident, addressed the commission during public comment regarding recent changes to library hours. Duffy cited studies showing that public libraries return significant economic value to communities, with one Florida study finding libraries returned $6.54 for every dollar invested.
Duffy, who identified herself as a recently widowed senior on Social Security, said the library was essential to her during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was caring for her husband, who had Parkinson’s disease and an amputation. She expressed concern that schedule changes at the northern library location now prevent her from visiting on one of her three available days due to her dialysis schedule.
Commissioner Dance added that the new library puts more homes in proximity to library services and addresses longstanding needs in the southern portion of the county.
The meeting concluded with a brief discussion about installing permanent pump stations at three locations on the barrier island that experience compound flooding during storms. Commissioner Hansen noted the county currently brings in portable pumps during emergencies and suggested permanent installations could improve resilience. Staff indicated they would continue exploring the idea, potentially through resiliency grant funding.
