Flagler County officials and community leaders presented funding requests totaling millions of dollars during a legislative delegation meeting on Tuesday, while also raising concerns about airport noise, road conditions, and housing shortages for people in recovery programs.
Senator Tom Leek and Representative Sam Greco hosted the public forum, where local governments outlined infrastructure needs and community groups sought support for various programs. The meeting concluded with a leadership change, as Representative Greco was elected to serve as the new delegation chair.
Budget Pressures and Legislative Outlook
Senator Leek opened the meeting with a warning about the upcoming legislative session, describing last year as challenging for Republicans and the state government due to conflicts between chambers and with the governor. “It wasn’t a great look for Republicans. It wasn’t a great look for the state government. There was animosity between the chambers, animosity between the speaker and the governor,” Leek said.
He predicted continued budget pressures, explaining that “the growth in our costs is outpacing the growth in our revenue, and at some point in time, those two lines are going to intersect and we would have a problem.” Despite these challenges, Leak assured attendees that Flagler County “got your fair share of what was available” in previous budget cycles.
Representative Greco emphasized the importance of local input, stating, “The best source of information I have is you all, whether it’s local government or community leaders.” He noted the unique position he and Leek hold as freshman legislators, crediting Leek’s experience for helping advance local priorities.
Infrastructure Requests Dominate Presentations
County Commission Priorities
Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance, joined by Commissioners Hansen, Carney, and Richardson, presented three major infrastructure requests. The county is seeking $5 million for County Road 304 resurfacing and bridge improvements, describing it as “a critical east-west road for us from US 1 out to the west side” that faces growth pressures.
The county also requested $2.6 million for the Black Branch North drainage system, which would help with flooding issues near a future National Guard site. A third request seeks $548,000 for a disaster resilience staging site, with the county providing $126,000 in matching funds.
Dance explained the need for better emergency staging areas, saying past hurricanes revealed they “don’t have enough staging area or improved area” for emergency management needs.
Palm Coast Infrastructure Needs
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris outlined three stormwater and infrastructure priorities. The city is requesting $300,000 for a 28-acre stormwater park on Burrows Drive, matching it with $200,000 in local funds to address flooding in the B section of the city.
The city’s largest request involves $30 million for Old Kings Road widening phase two, which Norris described as “a choke point in our city” that needs attention due to development pressures. While the city lacks designated matching funds currently, officials plan to use impact fees, with design costs alone estimated at $6 million.
A third priority requests $500,000 for Woodlands subdivision stormwater improvements, with the city matching that amount. Norris noted this area was “one of our hardest hit areas” after Hurricane Milton.
Bunnell Seeks Road and Building Restoration
Bunnell Mayor Katherine Robinson and Dr. Alvin Jackson addressed road paving needs and historic building restoration. Robinson explained that while they received legislative approval for paving funds last year, “the governor vetoed it.” The city has “26 miles of road that are over 100 years old” and some roads that “have never been paved.”
Senator Leek encouraged them to resubmit their paving request, noting that “sometimes the governor has a theme of things he’s not going to do this year and it may not be the same theme next year.”
The city also seeks funding to restore its historic city hall, a 1930s Coquina stone building closed for four years due to structural problems. Robinson said they have about $500,000 to contribute toward restoration costs.
Flagler Beach Wastewater Compliance
Flagler Beach Vice Chairman Rick Bellhumeur presented two critical infrastructure needs. The city requires $1.5 million for a reverse osmosis treatment system to comply with state wastewater regulations, matching it with equal local funding for the estimated $3 million project.
The system addresses requirements from Senate Bill 64, which mandates changes to the city’s wastewater treatment plant originally constructed in 1987. “This will no longer be permitted after December 31st,” Bellhumeur explained, referring to current discharge practices into the Intracoastal Waterway.
The city also seeks $1.5 million for stormwater resilience improvements to protect critical facilities, including police, fire, and public works departments that “back up directly to the Intracoastal Waterway and are susceptible to flooding.”
Education and Workforce Development
School District Achievements and Needs
Flagler County Schools Superintendent Lashaka Moore, accompanied by board members Lauren Ramirez and William Furry, thanked legislators for supporting changes to school start time mandates that will “save the district millions in future transportation costs.”
Moore highlighted the district’s academic progress, saying they are “just short of being an A-rated district, but we are confident that this is our year.” The district operates as an “open choice” system, allowing families to select schools that best meet their needs.
The superintendent outlined two platform priorities, including support for a proposed rural Florida initiative that could bring significant recurring funding. “If the education portion of this proposal were adopted, Flagler schools would share a $25 million grant program,” Moore explained.
Senator Leek questioned Moore extensively about trade education programs, emphasizing that “trades are where the jobs are” and represent “the best return on investment you can get.” Moore responded that the district offers robust career programs in both high schools, including fire, medical, construction, and entrepreneurship tracks.
Moore reported that one high school alone had “over 600 students complete an industry certification” last year, with plans to require all students to participate in some form of career preparation program.
Daytona State College Expansion Plans
Daytona State College President Tom Loasco presented five funding requests totaling over $30 million. The largest, $12.2 million, would complete an airframe and power plant facility at Daytona Beach airport, with the college contributing $2 million.
The college also seeks $19.4 million for a new aerospace and advanced technical education center at the New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater campus, plus $929,000 for specialized equipment. Additional requests include campus safety improvements and support for a University of Central Florida innovation hub.
Senator Leek praised Daytona State’s presentation format, telling other requestors, “If you guys want to know how to do these requests, they always do a very nice job. It’s very succinct.”
Community Health and Social Services
Mental Health Services Expansion
Salvator Genotelli, representing Stewart Marchman Healthcare, thanked legislators for increasing behavioral health funding statewide during fiscal constraints. The organization served over 2,700 Flagler County residents last year through various programs, including walk-in screenings, therapy, and mobile crisis response.
Genotelli announced plans to break ground in November on a central receiving facility providing 24-hour access to behavioral health services. The project includes a 20-bed stabilization unit and a 28-bed men’s residential program, with Flagler County contributing $10 million and Stewart Marchman adding $4 million.
While not submitting a formal legislative budget request, Genotelli said they are exploring funding partnerships with other agencies and neighboring counties.
Recovery Housing Shortage
Multiple speakers addressed housing needs for people in recovery programs. Michael Feldbauer, president of the Flagler County Drug Court Foundation, requested $66,000 to establish two recovery homes for men and women participating in drug court programs.
Feldbauer explained that program participants must have a legal Flagler address to be eligible, but many face housing challenges because “some of the bridges that are burnt haven’t been put back together yet.” He noted that all foundation members are volunteers, describing their “skin in the game” as “real skin” through volunteer service.
Pastor Charles Solano and Toby Tobin from Open Door Re-entry and Recovery Ministry received $750,000 last year for a recovery campus, but now need an additional $500,000 due to unexpected road requirements. Changes to Route 11, including a new median preventing left turns, created additional development costs for their tiny homes project.
Citizen Concerns and Complaints
Airport Noise Issues
Multiple residents raised concerns about flight training activities at the county airport. Jane Gentile-Yaud criticized flight schools operating at the airport, saying planes fly “morning, noon, and night” and sometimes conduct “touch-and-goes at 2:00 in the morning.”
Yaud argued that flight schools should be removed in favor of corporate jet operations, claiming the current situation amounts to “torturing the people” in nearby neighborhoods. She questioned the lack of oversight, saying “we don’t know who they are, where they’re coming from.”
Another resident, Celia P., echoed these concerns, stating that while she loves the airport, problems began “when the schools were invited, the flight schools were invited to sit in the airport.” She described the situation as “unbearable for some” residents and dangerous due to flight patterns over hospitals and schools.
Senator Leek directed the complainants to address the county commission, explaining that the airport authority is appointed by commissioners and represents local control. When told the commissioners are “nonresponsive,” Leek acknowledged their frustration but emphasized the importance of pursuing local remedies first.
Road Maintenance and Appearance
Yaud also requested that the state provide pressure washers to each FDOT district to clean roads and overpasses, comparing Florida’s infrastructure appearance unfavorably to European roads. “The roads in Europe are gorgeous,” she said, describing Florida overpasses as “filthy and it’s a distraction.”
Celia supported road improvement requests, specifically mentioning Old Kings Road, which she said has been “over 20 years ignored” for expansion and extension needs. She noted traffic backup problems when Interstate 95 accidents divert vehicles to local roads.
Specialized Programs and Initiatives
Early Learning Coalition Formula
Allison Miller from the Early Learning Coalition addressed funding formula challenges affecting child care programs in Flagler and Volusia counties. She explained that population variability causes budget inconsistencies year-over-year, making it difficult to maintain stable services.
Miller requested adding a “compression factor” to funding formulas and more flexibility in moving funds between communities. She thanked legislators for previous improvements that allowed unused funding from one year to carry into the next, rather than arriving “in March to spend by June.”
Women’s Construction Training
Anita White, founder of Hard Hat for Women, proposed a pilot program providing construction training for women with felony convictions. White, a retired corrections officer and Stewart Marchman employee, cited statistics showing that 75% of employers hesitate to hire people with criminal records.
The program would train participants in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and other trades to meet the anticipated demand for 100,000 new construction jobs by 2030. White noted that women represent only 11% of Florida’s construction workforce and argued the program could reduce recidivism rates.
Beach Erosion Policy Changes
David Eard requested modifications to state statute 161.101 regarding critically eroded beach designations. He explained that communities investing their own money in shoreline protection cannot qualify for state programs that require actual damage assessment.
Eard said north county communities have invested $12 million since Hurricane Matthew, but this proactive approach prevents them from achieving a critically eroded beach designation and accessing 50% state funding. Senator Leak expressed interest in investigating the policy, saying communities “shouldn’t get penalized for doing what we want you to do anyway.”
Animal Shelter Needs
Cameron Or from Animal Refuge Flagler highlighted the county’s lack of a municipal animal shelter, noting that Flagler is “one of only nine counties in the state without a municipal animal shelter.” The existing humane society facility, built 22 years ago with 56 kennels when the county population was one-third of its current levels, routinely operates over 100% capacity.
Or reported that county and Palm Coast officials have started a joint task force to assess shelter needs and develop future funding requests.
Funding Guidelines and Expectations
Throughout the meeting, Senator Leek emphasized the importance of local matching funds, preferably around 50% of project costs. “We find the more you all have skin in the game, the more committed you are to the project,” he explained, noting this makes it easier for legislators to advocate in Tallahassee.
Leek advised presenters to break large projects into phases, suggesting that if a $12 million project can only spend $2 million in one year, requestors should ask for $2 million with appropriate matching funds rather than the full amount.
He also encouraged communities to explore other grant opportunities before seeking legislative appropriations, describing the legislative route as “the hardest route to go down.” Both legislators offered to help identify alternative funding sources through county and city programs.
Leadership Transition
The meeting concluded with a change in delegation leadership. Senator Leek nominated Representative Greco to serve as chair, and Greco nominated Leek as vice chair. Both nominations were approved.
Senator Leek praised his colleague’s future potential, telling attendees, “I hope you guys understand and appreciate how great a member that you have in Representative Greco.” He encouraged residents to “wait and see what Representative Greco does for you.”
Palm Coast officials presented both legislators with keys to the city in recognition of their legislative support during the previous session. The ceremonial keys acknowledged their “support and advocacy in 2025.”
The meeting adjourned with both legislators emphasizing their commitment to fighting for Flagler County’s interests in the upcoming legislative session, while encouraging continued communication from local officials and residents about changing needs and priorities.
