[{"_1":2,"_107":-5,"_108":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6223768,"mediaKeyId","3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace","parentId",3563379,"title","Council supports full fire impact‑fee update after consultants detail station and apparatus needs","audioSeconds",4072,"startMs",4072750,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace&start=4072&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace/thumbnail_4072750.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6223768/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Council-supports-full-fire-impactfee-update-after-consultants-detail-station-and-apparatus-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223768-d42835b92e8612d133e2749593c5c7b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=PF9q7fboVxEly5npY7CBB-51u9udUpLt4eapLyekdAjdTck1XurlbDNH~xdaJIklRhiJ9EL3jozmtBaTm-0kXvDe66Rx0S13-xpIgBek9UjW-J33ufgZCv7RhSK-joXrMxYJUBO9pjeSDftOWItltIz1QfXWNZtZGBVl9G0UrzLrwzOz1ZXPTJalJx9jUx6aXAl5zOq1BUCYSK1l-bZuSgcgLeRYUTk80azb-wvrSbNMnN9MK6c4s~Ob2X~lMN291vwDasVE60mxY3uzWRnquTAMVtA9MBjKyr8GQBoK6kiFVl0x60Lq6VDClI4JFlEXfxvICyVeLcSCWe5da9hbMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palm Coast, FL","date","2025-05-27T16:59:19Z","article","City consultants presented a fire impact fee study that combines the city’s existing fire‑department investment with planned station and apparatus projects through the next 10 years and recommended higher fees to recover growth‑related capacity costs.

Sean Ocasio, senior manager at the consultant firm, said the study used local asset inventories, recent call‑volume data and the city’s 10‑year capital plan to distribute costs between existing and new development. He noted an approach that blends existing investment with future needs reduces the fee compared with a purely incremental (forward‑looking) method but still produced substantial increases: the study’s recommended residential fee equaled about $859 per single‑family dwelling unit (a 98% increase from the city’s current $434.51), and the recommended nonresidential fee was about $1,364 per 1,000 square feet (roughly a 95% increase).

Why this matters: The proposed fees fund station replacements and expansions and apparatus acquisitions the city tied to response‑time goals (arrive within seven minutes at least 85% of the time) and to keep the city’s ISO rating. The consultant explained that many apparatus and construction costs have risen dramatically; as an example, some ladder apparatus prices doubled compared with a few years ago.

Council decision and legal context: The consultant and staff described the state impact‑fee statute’s caps and phasing rules and explained the city can adopt higher fees only after documenting extraordinary circumstances. Council members considered the city’s fast population growth, updated workload and construction cost inflation to be the basis for such a finding. Council members then gave consensus direction to proceed with the full calculated fees using the extraordinary‑circumstances process and asked staff to prepare the formal record and ordinance language.

Financial details and implementation: The consultant netted grant and non‑capacity costs from the capital list; staff noted a $5 million state appropriation and explained how funding assumptions change the fee. Council asked staff to clarify one grant source (ARPA funding) and confirm which projects are grant‑funded. Staff will prepare ordinance language and the required hearings; a 90‑day grace period applies between adoption and first collection under state rules.

Ending: Staff will return with ordinance language and the extraordinary‑circumstances findings for council to consider at ordinance readings. The council’s consensus direction will be reflected in those documents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Workshop May 27, 2025 PT.1","oneSentenceSummary","City consultants recommended raising fire impact fees to pay for new stations and apparatus tied to response‑time goals; council gave consensus to pursue the full calculated fees under an extraordinary‑circumstances rationale.","taxTitle","Palm Coast City, Flagler County, Florida","taxId",3807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223778,"Palm Coast council waives ACH autopay fees for utility auto‑pay; city estimates $30,000 annual cost",768,768560,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace&start=768&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace/thumbnail_768560.jpg","/articles/6223778/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Palm-Coast-council-waives-ACH-autopay-fees-for-utility-autopay-city-estimates-30000-annual-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223778-db3775c234bf99b043572723a1605413/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=STr9ezrxok4ErXyNt0CrFJuY8uQbYJ8uD3zpvEOKmGpV208Zed65xTwVUhMP-l9omTFLJyyfXiIsrPrf0Hnid8VTDHTVkX96yVS0ckE7jE70-YWrGVNdtUlz4kODtJQu~KPqJWpo0gDxx9tVXFd4AeYylidHY6dGt0Gat0sKaDgVOVHYurmQd41LI~aGavqKHuITgByj8KkXTuOZzzQlXCetgqhpcTTxsG9jMOHFmUZbOHAdlhyfrL~sVTUzTRfa4sUUFihGhX147iIto~DFMDo~MLdx5KWC3BZS~YlHON40lMxLioeocJNlaEG67G9fbhw~67PVAhAP8EiacsfDhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palm Coast City Council directed staff to waive third‑party processing fees for residents who pay utility and related bills through ACH autopay, a move the city estimated would cost about $30,000 a year.

Acting City Manager (staff) told the council that the city “receive[s] about 40% of our collections through autopay,” and staff can choose whether to absorb fees for all autopay methods or only for ACH. After clarifying costs and options, council members reached a consensus: waive the fee for residents who enroll in ACH autopay.

Why this matters: Staff outlined trade‑offs: absorbing all autopay and credit‑card processing fees would be far more expensive—staff estimated the city could face roughly $200,000 per year if it absorbed all autopay fees (including credit‑card surcharges). Staff and council agreed limiting a waiver to ACH method would be a lower‑cost approach and could encourage residents to shift from credit cards to lower‑cost bank ACH payments.

What council decided: Vice Mayor Panieri closed the discussion by summarizing the council’s consensus: “Okay. So we’re going to waive the fee for anybody on autopay using ACH.” City staff estimated the fiscal impact of that ACH‑only waiver at about $30,000 per year and said the cost would be spread across utility, stormwater and solid‑waste enterprise funds.

Implementation and next steps: Staff said the change would require administrative updates and that any decision to absorb additional payment types (for example, credit‑card autopay) would require budgeting for a larger amount. Staff also noted customers can avoid third‑party fees today by mailing checks or using bank bill‑pay services that some banks provide.

Ending: Staff will proceed with administrative steps to implement an ACH autopay fee waiver and return budget adjustments or further direction to council if the scope changes.","The City Council gave staff consensus to waive third‑party processing fees for residents who enroll in ACH autopay for utilities, at an estimated cost of about $30,000 per year.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223782,"Resident says short‑term rentals have turned Palm Coast neighborhood into a 'nightmare'",0,73680,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace&start=73&end=73","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace/thumbnail_73680.jpg","/articles/6223782/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Resident-says-shortterm-rentals-have-turned-Palm-Coast-neighborhood-into-a-nightmare","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223782-43a3335dd4260687989014dbf423d1f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=gBM5fZnxdXNSTOTmn5Gb0UfzXv9FZxd1NSu2-g7cgiOaUw2F9VIklpyXsS4HqaVhajCUGYGbYLKj7miAOi3Hem0V05bWSF9LzDPUSkSrjS-ZjIEgd-Si4XrVdmYpZhKwza6kTX1uSjPqr8nnjy25zgBvP-NVAhPENHJyj0sxUTt51gbn-4uGCNpbQVe3dLRVTyrlFtmqHspvPYUlhNHgDtm7YlBhVpwlNX6~HNAIRPctlpV2AdnNllnYl6bcPFuoxXYPbhQIR9mu3-hS-5LlWyQFIS3kAD2QvJi3KoDNbVMDudDVRwCkpPJt8k33sVxCmpYerpjNcCHD~xn53Vwm4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Palm Coast resident said repeated parties at a nearby short‑term rental have left him sleepless and worried for his health.

Dennis Secola, a longtime Palm Coast resident, told the City Council during the meeting’s public‑comment period: “I went from living a dream to living a nightmare.” He said guests from out of state arrive late, use a heated pool and make noise into the early morning hours, and that he and his wife are “both getting losing sleep and getting sick about this.”

The comment came after the council last year moved to allow regulated short‑term rentals. The issue has drawn neighbors’ attention because residents said enforcement has been slow to stop late‑night disturbances. The city manager’s office asked Mr. Secola to provide his address to staff so inspectors and the sheriff’s office can follow up.

Why this matters: Council members said the ordinance the council adopted was written to comply with state law while creating a local registration and enforcement program. Councilman Miller clarified the city’s approach: “We didn’t vote to allow Airbnb as they were allowed by state law. We voted to restrict them and to create a permitting process and an enforcement arm.” The rule, he said, targets property owners with hosting permits rather than transient visitors, so the city can hold local owners responsible for repeated violations.

What was said and who will act: Acting City Manager asked the resident to share his address with Jason De Lorenzo so staff and Commander Woodward of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office can inspect and, if needed, respond. Staff confirmed all short‑term rentals are required to register and pay a fee; the registration form and enforcement information are posted on the City of Palm Coast website.

Context and limits: Council members and staff cautioned that state law constrains local governments’ ability to ban short‑term rentals outright, but said the city adopted a permitting program and enforcement path intended to limit disturbances in residential neighborhoods. Councilman Miller and other council members reiterated that the city’s enforcement focus is on owners, who can lose the ability to host if they repeatedly violate local rules.

Next steps: Staff requested that the resident submit a complaint form and his address so code inspectors and law enforcement can follow up immediately. The city said it will investigate the address provided and respond through its normal code‑enforcement and sheriff‑office channels.

Ending: Neighbors who want staff follow‑up were told to use the city’s complaint form and to note specific incidents; staff said the registration system and targeted owner enforcement are the city’s primary tools for reducing repeat disturbances at short‑term rentals.","A Palm Coast resident told the City Council that late‑night parties at a nearby short‑term rental are affecting his and his wife's health. Council members and staff reiterated that the city adopted a permit and enforcement approach focused on owners, and staff offered to follow up on individual complaints.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":89,"_43":100,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":102,"_51":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":105,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":106,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6223772,"Palm Coast staff present transportation impact fee study; council debates inflation, FDOT funding and scope",1470625,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace&start=1470&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3563379-6c84c146bfa542bf7a8be100ee443ace/thumbnail_1470625.jpg","/articles/6223772/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Palm-Coast-staff-present-transportation-impact-fee-study-council-debates-inflation-FDOT-funding-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6223772-706b62d911d4551b89de910bcf854fdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182996&Signature=BDvf0qyzyiJ5xkQsLbT4gZNtNq1Kr~U3WTCNkALCxTQOM7~sfb94-PrapgJxEDdQeVJOblfwOeH7K2fkLbMeE6AB-r1qiXWWeN4yMxhvMZQThtVivHwXK~kQW0~pzuCL8O3bNBnY7EbzBYdr9Lib1x9XkjXggJ2w5oa8dk2I6IX0UOFOy0owwTshP8y3Wsw3XO7V6RZkOAjoG0FstbYatjYsv1BSPj4lPoOwranXfgAbNLnQqH63v2ncFAMikf6sSsXUVu0ZpDgM~CrKzx8mwBLMpXQckziR2-6qu9p4VMs3v4d4WLdTdc7PZMmKLA4msl4VFeGT-X-lgXGD8BblPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultants presented an updated transportation impact fee study that would raise many fees, reflecting large increases in construction and capacity costs since the 2018 study. The council debated whether to find “extraordinary circumstances” to exceed statutory caps and how to treat anticipated state and grant funding.

Jonathan Paul, principal of New Urban Concepts, summarized the technical approach and drivers: “Transportation impact fees are a way for new development to mitigate its impact. They are not fees or assessments charged on existing residents or existing businesses.” He told the council the study bases fees on projected capacity needs out to 2050 and uses localized and national data sources updated since 2018.

Why this matters: The study showed per‑mile roadway costs had about doubled since 2018 in Palm Coast, driven by higher construction and materials costs and updated travel‑demand data. State rules adopted in 2021 mean municipalities generally cannot increase fees beyond a 50% cap without making a formal finding of extraordinary circumstances; that finding has new procedural requirements and may require super‑ or unanimous majorities in the future.

Major policy issues discussed:
- Inflation and indexing: Consultants said the state no longer provides a DOT construction index and that municipalities must either build projected inflation into their adopted fee schedule or conduct new studies to increase fees later.
- Sensitivity to outside funding: Jonathan Paul and staff explained that fees are highly sensitive to reasonably anticipated funding from FDOT, TPO and grants. Council members pressed staff to model scenarios assuming higher FDOT/TPO shares for major corridors, especially State Road 100.
- Project list scope: Council members debated whether to keep US 1 projects in the fee horizon (the study’s 2050 baseline makes US 1 improvements show up). After discussion, council members indicated they prefer removing US 1 from the list because its projected need is 15–20 years out and including it makes fees less defensible today.
- Extraordinary circumstances: Staff and the consultant outlined the legal standard and said Palm Coast’s rapid recent growth, updated trip‑generation data and sharply higher construction costs formed the basis for an extraordinary‑circumstances finding if council chose that route.

Numbers and next steps: The consultant presented proposed fee increases (varied by land use) and two implementation paths: (1) follow statute and cap increases at 50% phased over four years, or (2) adopt the full calculated rates after a formal extraordinary‑circumstances finding (requires additional public workshops and a super‑/unanimous vote depending on statute changes). Council asked staff to provide a supplemental analysis (including a clearer assumption on anticipated FDOT/TPO funding and the percent increase adopted in 2018) before first reading of any ordinance.

Ending: Staff will return with revised cost assumptions and a proposed ordinance incorporating council direction; the council signaled interest in removing the US 1 projects and in pursuing a defensible extraordinary‑circumstances record if the full fee package is adopted.","City consultants told the council that updated transportation impact fees reflect large increases in construction and vehicle‑miles costs since 2018. Council members discussed the statutory 50% cap, potential extraordinary‑circumstances findings, the sensitivity of fees to anticipated outside funding and whether to remove US 1 from the fee plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council supports full fire impact‑fee update after consultants detail station and apparatus needs

Palm Coast council waives ACH autopay fees for utility auto‑pay; city estimates $30,000 annual cost

Resident says short‑term rentals have turned Palm Coast neighborhood into a 'nightmare'

Palm Coast staff present transportation impact fee study; council debates inflation, FDOT funding and scope