Residents, commissioners press for clarity on beach funding, MSBU and referendum timing

Several residents urged Flagler County commissioners on Sept. 3 to resolve a long-running debate over how to fund beach nourishment and maintenance, pressing the board for clearer timelines and for meetings with affected municipalities. Public commenters asked the board either to place a half-cent sales tax on a county ballot or to clarify alternatives such as ad valorem increases or targeted assessments for the Barrier Island.

Why it matters: Beach nourishment is the county’s principal long-term coastal infrastructure issue, and speakers said uncertainty about funding risks tourism dollars and homeowner exposure. Commissioners directed staff to arrange meetings with nearby municipalities and to provide written definitions and talking points before the next public hearings.

The messages from residents were blunt. “A fair and equitable funding method is available to you right now… it’s that one half-cent sales tax,” said Laura Stillman, who identified herself as a Barrier Island resident in Marineland Acres. Ed Pape, also from Marineland Acres, argued the sales-tax route “gives you a multiplier as the county grows” and warned a referendum could fail and leave the county without a funding path for beaches.

Other public commenters emphasized process concerns and asked the board to allow more time for public review. Richard Hamilton, who said he lives in Filand Estates, brought a copy of a notice of a special assessment and urged commissioners to ensure residents have adequate time to analyze proposals before votes. Multiple speakers said they had submitted letters and asked the commission to avoid cramming complex beach funding items into single short meetings.

Commissioner discussion focused on who must be at the table and on preserving options. Commissioners Kearney and Carney said they want to meet directly with Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach elected officials to discuss the MSBU and interlocal agreements; Kearney asked staff to set up meetings. County staff and commissioners also asked that the county administrator and coastal engineer prepare in writing a definition of what the county would treat as a “dedicated funding source” and circulate talking points on “critically eroded” beach designation before the delegation meetings later this month.

The board reached a consensus to schedule municipal-to-county meetings: Commissioner Kearney requested the action, and other commissioners present agreed. No formal MSBU levy or referendum was adopted at the Sept. 3 meeting.

What remains unresolved: Speakers and commissioners repeatedly noted that the county’s plan must reconcile multiple revenue sources — transient rental/tourism taxes, any new half-cent sales tax, ad valorem dollars and an MSBU — and the interlocal arrangements with municipalities that would receive or pledge shares. Commissioners asked staff to compile the background materials they have circulated over the last two years and to provide a concise timeline and the legal/operational implications of city participation in any county funding plan.

Community outreach and next steps: Commissioners asked the county administrator to set up separate meetings so the county commission and Flagler Beach leaders, and the county commission and Beverly Beach leaders, can speak directly about MSBU design, interlocal options and how the plan would affect taxpayers. Commissioners said they want those meetings before the next public budget hearing sequence and requested a written explanation of “dedicated funding source” before Sept. 10 so elected officials and residents can review it in advance.

Quotes

“A fair and equitable funding method is available to you right now. It’s that one half-cent sales tax,” Laura Stillman said during public comment.

“6,300 properties are only less than 5% of the county’s 82,000 properties,” Ed Pape said while arguing against a geographically limited assessment on island properties.

“The county cannot levy a tax on any other municipality,” a commissioner said during discussion of interlocal pledges and MSBU structure.

Ending

Commissioners framed the Sept. 3 meeting as a step toward more structured talks: staff will arrange municipal meetings, provide requested written clarifications and assemble the engineering and outreach materials the board and residents have received over the last two years. No MSBU or referendum action was taken at the meeting; formal decisions were deferred pending those follow-ups.