Flagler County adopts FY‑2026 tentative budget figures, sets millage rates and public hearing; beach funding and MSBU debate continues

The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners set the county’s FY‑2026 tentative budget framework July 14, establishing proposed millage rates and special assessments, and scheduling the first public hearing for Sept. 11. The board also continued a substantive discussion about long‑term beach renourishment funding, the potential use of a municipal service benefit unit (MSBU) or other agreements, and how to meet local match requirements for federal and state grant programs.

Budget votes and timing

At a special meeting immediately after the workshop the board voted unanimously to set proposed operating millage rates that will appear on August notices: a general fund operating rate of 7.8695 mills and an environmentally sensitive lands (ESL) operating rate of 0.125 mills, producing a combined operating rate of 7.9945 mills. The board then approved proposed debt‑service millage rates of 0.0855 mills (ESL debt) and 0.10 mills (judicial center debt), for a total proposed FY‑2026 rate of 8.18 mills — a net reduction of 0.0543 mills from FY‑2025.

Motions and recorded procedure: Commissioner Carney moved, Commissioner Richardson seconded the operating millage motion; Commissioner Hansen moved and Commissioner Carney seconded the debt‑service motion. All motions passed unanimously (5–0). The board also set its first public hearing to adopt the tentative budget for Sept. 11, 2025 at 5:01 p.m. in the Board Chambers at the Flagler County Government Services Building, and approved the format and amounts for FY‑26 special assessments (see "Votes at a glance").

Budget priorities highlighted by staff

John Br…