Flagler County commissioners opened an extended discussion on July 2, 2025 about options for county animal-control services, but did not adopt a new contract or operational plan at the workshop. Staff presented a year-one cost estimate for a stand-alone county operation and commissioners asked staff to pursue more detailed cost comparisons and to coordinate a joint discussion with the city of Palm Coast.

County Administrator Heidi Petito told the board staff had sought information from the city and the Humane Society but had not received complete, timely detail from both partners. Petito said the staff'produced estimate included two field officers, one technician and two vehicles as a year-one staffing model, and it reflected capital and recurring operating expenses when scaled across a multi-year horizon (staff used a 5% annual inflation assumption for personnel and operating expenses and a 30% five-year capital escalation for recurring capital replacements).

Several commissioners said the proposed county-run option looked oversized and urged examining partnerships before building a new in-house department. Commissioner comments and public testimony emphasized three consistent themes: (1) the city of Palm Coast currently operates a functioning animal-control program with trained staff that could provide interim support or a shared-service arrangement, (2) volunteer rescue groups and private transporters already play a substantial role in sheltering and transport and should be integrated into planning rather than duplicated, and (3) a county-owned shelter is a longer-term capital project that the board placed on the capital improvement list but should be distinguished from the operational animal-control function.

Petito and staff reported the current Humane Society contract expires Sept. 30, 2025. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate an intergovernmental meeting with Palm Coast and to bring back comparative cost and timeline information. Staff noted lead times for custom-built animal-control trucks can be 14
16 months but also acknowledged temporary solutions (used vans, shared vehicles, or Palm Coast operational support) could bridge the near-term gap. Commissioners confirmed that the existing humane-society contract includes a 120-day termination clause, which would allow the county to change providers mid-contract with notice.

Public commenters at the workshop included animal-rescue volunteers and local advocates who urged prompt action, criticized operations at the existing shelter and underscored the contributions of volunteers and small rescues. County staff and commissioners said they intend to continue the review and to hold an interlocal meeting with the city of Palm Coast in August to explore shared-service or phased transition options.

Why it matters: animal-control services touch public safety, public health and animal-welfare policy. Commissioners must choose among (a) continuing the existing contract, (b) negotiating a shared-services arrangement with the city of Palm Coast, or (c) launching an in-house county program with long lead times and capital needs. The board declined to make a final selection during the July 2 workshop and directed staff to return with more detailed alternatives and cost comparisons.

What's next: staff will seek a confirmed date for a joint county-city meeting in late August, solicit further detail from Palm Coast and the Humane Society, refine year-one and multi-year cost models (including used-vehicle and temporary options), and present those findings to the board for a decision ahead of contract deadlines.