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Flagler County staff urges quick outreach as legislature reviews vetoed projects
Summary
County legislative liaison Holly Albanese briefed commissioners on the state budget, lawmakers' priorities and a 10‑day working‑group review of vetoed items that could affect several Flagler County water and tourism projects.
Holly Albanese, Flagler County legislative liaison, told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 10 that state leaders have opened a short window to review and possibly overturn line‑item vetoes from last year’s budget, and that the county needs prompt outreach to working‑group members in Tallahassee.
“They only have…a 10 day window that they're gonna be reviewing these items,” Albanese said, describing four working groups that will each examine a subset of vetoed budget items and recommend whether the legislature should overturn individual vetoes.
The nut of the update: Governor Ron DeSantis released his 2026 budget recommendations that emphasize reduced state spending, disaster preparedness, water‑quality grants and beach renourishment, but the legislature will craft its own budget and the governor retains line‑item veto authority. Albanese said the county and its lobbyists submitted required House and Senate forms on Jan. 31 and are tracking bill referrals and deadlines into late February and March.
Why it matters: several Flagler County projects are on the veto list. Albanese identified the county’s tourism center, Black Branch stormwater work, US‑1 water/wastewater expansion and related conservation requests as items that could be affected if a working group decides not to restore a vetoed appropriation. She said the county has four water projects on the current grant list and that the governor has not yet released the grant awards while the legislature reconsiders vetoed items.
Albanese asked commissioners to contact Representative Greco, Senator Leake and members of the working groups while the groups meet; she noted Representative Greco serves on the combined working group reviewing libraries, cultural and historical preservation projects, which would include the tourism center item. She also said the Fiorentino lobbying group and county administration are meeting with state leaders and preparing short “rack card” one‑page materials for legislative meetings.
Commissioners asked whether the county had personally handed materials to lawmakers; Albanese said house and senate forms were delivered to lawmakers’ offices and staff and that she, county administration and the chair had previously met with Representative Greco. Commissioners also discussed statewide policy items they are watching, including a renewed tort‑claims bill and proposed changes to homestead exemptions.
Next steps: Albanese said the working groups will be active through the coming week and that the county will continue weekly legislative reports. Commissioners were encouraged to contact working‑group members and Tallahassee offices while the review window is open. Albanese emphasized the short timeline: "So right now is key. We only have 10 days and really the working groups start up tomorrow."
