Commissioners continue animal-control review; contract, shared services and shelter capacity left unresolved

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…