Flagler County officials are taking significant steps toward modernizing their financial operations, as highlighted in a recent County Commission Special Meeting. Supervisor of Elections, Katie Lanhardt, expressed her eagerness to implement a new financial software package to enhance the efficiency of payroll and other operations for the elections office. With 200 employees on election day, Lanhardt emphasized the need for a more robust system to meet diverse payroll requirements.

Lanhardt's call for action comes after two years of waiting for progress on this initiative, which she described as frustrating. She is hopeful that the meeting will lead to the formation of a work group to expedite the upgrade process. "I'm kind of a person of action. I'd like to get things done," she stated, underscoring her commitment to improving the office's technological capabilities.

Mark Strowbridge from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office echoed Lanhardt's sentiments, expressing frustration with the slow progress and indicating their willingness to participate in any work groups formed to address these financial software needs. He suggested that if progress remains stalled, the Sheriff's Office may seek to allocate funds independently to move forward.

Financial Services Director Laurie Bailey Brown raised concerns about the need for open communication during the planning phase, particularly regarding the Sunshine Law, which governs public meetings in Florida. She highlighted the importance of having discussions that may not fit within the confines of formal meetings, suggesting that a more flexible approach could facilitate better planning and implementation.

The discussions at this meeting signal a proactive approach by Flagler County officials to enhance their financial systems, which could lead to improved efficiency and service delivery for the community. As the county moves forward, the establishment of a dedicated work group may pave the way for timely upgrades and better management of financial operations.