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County begins public outreach plan for beach‑management funding after commissioners agree staff should develop education campaign
Summary
County administrators presented an 18‑mile beach management funding plan that combines grant applications, a proposed new half‑cent sales tax, tourist development funds and an MSBU. Commissioners gave staff consensus to begin public education and outreach to build support for a county‑wide funding approach.
Flagler County commissioners directed staff to develop public outreach and education materials explaining a countywide funding approach to ongoing beach renourishment and coastal resilience, after a staff presentation outlined estimated construction and maintenance needs across the county’s 18‑mile coastline.
County Administrator Heidi Petito presented a multi‑year funding scenario that combines federal and state grants, existing tourist‑development funding, and a new half‑cent local option sales tax dedicated to beach management. Staff said existing grant applications could supply a substantial portion of near‑term costs but that the county faces a local match and long‑term maintenance shortfall.
Staff presented two financing tracks. One would use a countywide dedicated half‑cent sales tax (which requires a supermajority of the county commission to enact by ordinance) plus continued tourist development contributions and a proposed per‑parcel MSBU on Barrier‑Island properties (the staff example used $160 per parcel) to cover recurring nourishment every six years. An alternative mix would rely more on tourism‑related revenue and targeted assessments but all scenarios showed a multi‑million‑dollar local commitment required to maintain beaches and meet periodic renourishment cycles.
In discussion, commissioners and members of the public pressed staff on fairness (how inland residents, renters and visitors would contribute), how municipalities would participate and whether the measure would be permanent. Commissioners requested that staff treat outreach and messaging as if preparing for a referendum — explain per‑household impact, highlight tourist contributions and show what the program would buy — and to begin that campaign work immediately so the public can review options while cities consider interlocal agreements.
Why this matters: Beach nourishment and coastal resilience are capital‑intensive and recurring. With tourism supporting a large share of the county economy, staff said the county must secure both initial construction and ongoing maintenance funding to preserve public beaches, protect property values and maintain emergency readiness.
What’s next: Staff will begin drafting written and visual outreach materials explaining proposed funding mixes and likely per‑parcel or per‑transaction impacts and will continue to seek federal and state grants. Commissioners asked county staff to present refined numbers and a communications plan at upcoming joint meetings with municipalities.
