Palm Coast Council adopts firefighter retirement changes, approves housing report, plats and microsurfacing contract

Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, unanimously approved an ordinance making administrative changes to the volunteer firefighter retirement system and voted to advance a package of development and public-works items, including an affordable-housing incentives report, a final subdivision plat and a piggyback microsurfacing contract.

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance that refines administrative provisions for a one-time opt-in to a Tier 8 volunteer firefighter retirement option. Chief Hill, Palm Coast Fire Department, said the change clarifies administrative details and “gives them a little more time to make this decision.” Hill said the one-time opt-in involves a 5% deduction of wages; staff estimated the city’s cost would be approximately 3% in the first year if state funding remains at the first-year level.

Why it matters: the retirement changes affect volunteer firefighters’ benefits and payroll budgeting; the housing and land approvals shape development and the city’s approach to affordable housing; the microsurfacing contract directs routine pavement work on dozens of residential streets.

The council also approved Resolution 2025-** adopting the Affordable Housing Incentives Report 2024 prepared for the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program, with two edits requested on the dais. Vice Mayor Pontieri moved to approve the report with amended language in the resolution’s…