Theresa Pontieri, current vice mayor and a member of the Palm Coast City Council for the past four years, is running for the Flagler County Commission District 2 seat. In a recent interview, she discussed her background and her views on the county budget, beach renourishment, infrastructure, and other issues.

Background and Why She’s Running

Pontieri, a business litigation and family law attorney and law firm partner, said she has served on Palm Coast City Council for four years, including two as vice mayor. She said she decided to run for county office because she believes she can have a stronger, longer-lasting impact at the county level while continuing to benefit the city.

Budget and Property Tax Reform

Pontieri said local governments across the state are facing pressure to reduce spending and consolidate services. She said she supports the property tax reform measure on the November ballot, arguing that the current property tax system is flawed because reduced tax rates don’t always result in lower bills once property values are factored in. She noted that of every dollar Palm Coast collects in property taxes, the city receives 23 cents, the county receives 45 cents, and the school district receives 29 cents, with the remainder split among smaller taxing districts.

She said she supports moving toward dedicated funding sources, such as a fire assessment fee that would fund fire services specifically, rather than depositing all tax revenue into one general fund. “It creates a lot more transparency and accountability with the manner in which local governments spend taxpayer dollars,” she said.

Consolidating City and County Services

Asked which services could realistically be consolidated between Palm Coast and the county, Pontieri pointed to communications and code enforcement, noting both governments already use the Flagler Humane Society and have discussed a joint animal shelter. She said her experience on the Palm Coast council gives her insight into how the city government operates, which she described as an advantage over her opponents on this issue. She acknowledged that budget pressure from the tax reform measure could create friction between local governments but said municipalities would have no choice but to work together if it passes.

Beach Renourishment

Pontieri said the county’s beach management plan currently relies on dedicated ad valorem tax dollars and a portion of tourist development tax revenue, but said that funding isn’t enough to keep pace with rising costs. She said the county isn’t ready to ask taxpayers for more money because key questions remain unanswered, including whether future projects will use dredged sand brought in by truck or rail. She said she wants the county to continue pursuing state and federal grants, including from easements obtained from barrier island property owners, before turning to local taxpayers for more funding.

Infrastructure and Economic Development

Pontieri said improving economic development, including infrastructure such as roads and utilities, is central to her campaign. She said the county needs to stay engaged with the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to push forward stalled road projects, citing State Road 100 as an example of a bottleneck not expected to be completed until 2035. She said the westward expansion could bring economic opportunity to the county but said developers, not residents, should be responsible for funding the infrastructure their projects require.

County Administrator Search

Asked what qualities she would want in a future county administrator, Pontieri said she wants someone proactive rather than reactive, describing the position as needing a “change agent” with a long-term vision for the county’s economic direction, including its tourism and agricultural industries.

Balancing Different Communities

Pontieri said Flagler County includes distinct communities, including Palm Coast, the barrier island, and the rural western county, each with different needs. She said her experience representing Palm Coast gives her insight into the city’s needs, and said she has spent time meeting with barrier island residents to better understand their concerns. She said she would rely on fellow Commissioner Leanne Pennington’s knowledge of the western district’s agricultural community if elected.

Public Trust and State Preemption

Addressing public concerns about trust in county government, Pontieri said much of the frustration stems from development decisions largely controlled by state law rather than local officials. She said development has slowed in recent years under newer board members, but that many projects now being built were approved years earlier. She also said the county’s ability to address concerns about the county airport is limited by federal aviation preemption, though she said she has met with the airport director and county staff to look for solutions on the private side. She said local officials could do a better job communicating and educating residents about what local government can and cannot control.

Home Rule

Pontieri said she would continue advocating in Tallahassee for restoring local governments’ authority, or “home rule,” which she said has been eroded by a series of state laws limiting how local governments can regulate development. She said she works closely with the Florida League of Cities and credited local state Rep. Sam Greco and state Sen. Leek as strong advocates for the area, while acknowledging their influence is limited within the broader state legislature.

Closing Pitch to Voters

Asked why voters should choose her over her opponents, Pontieri pointed to her experience navigating Palm Coast’s government and budget process, along with relationships she said she has built with county staff, city staff, the school district, the chamber of commerce, the firefighters’ union, and the deputies’ union. She said her track record in the city includes reducing the tax rate annually while funding additional sheriff’s deputies, opening two new fire stations, improving the firefighter pension, and resurfacing more than 70 roads. She said residents should want someone experienced in government budgeting on the county board, particularly if the property tax reform measure passes.