Flagler Executive Airport tenants rate service mostly positive in survey; county moves ahead on $5M PTGA, overlay ordinance and master plan

Flagler County staff updated the Board on a December 2024 customer survey of Flagler Executive Airport tenants and operators, reviewed a pending $5 million Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) for a new general aviation terminal, and outlined next steps on an airport overlay zoning ordinance and a planned airport master plan.

Survey findings and tenant comments

Jorge, who presented the survey, said the county used the Polkko platform from Dec. 5–19, 2024 and sent the survey to roughly 125 tenants and operators. He said 44 responses were received (about 35.2%) and the survey generated roughly 266 comments. “The majority are very positive,” he reported, and summarized the ratings: about 95% of respondents rated their overall airport experience as excellent or satisfactory; maintenance and request‑processing received 97.7% excellent/satisfactory; runway condition rated excellent by 82% of respondents, and guidance/lighting systems by 84%.

The survey showed areas for improvement in tenant comments. Tenants raised concerns about fuel‑service hours (a hard cutoff at 5 p.m. was noted), parking congestion around the car‑rental area, a long restaurant renovation, gate damage caused by a departing tenant, and several comments about the airport director's demeanor. Staff said one comment about a named respondent was redacted before making the public summary available. County staff said they would work with airport management to address items reported in the comments and use the survey as a baseline for future measurements.

PTGA grant, Van Dam hangar and consultant procurement

Roy Seagram, director of Flagler Executive Airport, told the board the $5 million PTGA on the evening agenda draws from a state legislative appropriation and would be the fourth PTGA or PTGA amendment the county has accepted for the terminal project. Roy said the multiple PTGAs reflect separate state funding sources that became available at different times and that staff recommends moving forward with the agreement.

Roy also told the board that a Van Dam(h) hangar lease amendment would be pulled from the current meeting at the tenant's request and returned for consideration in February.

On consultant procurement, staff said they issued RFQ25002 for aviation consulting services (required roughly every five years when accepting FAA and FDOT grants). Staff reported nine responses and that two firms—Coral Tater and Associates and Avcon Incorporated—were selected by staff to move forward as qualified firms for on‑call services for projects under the statutory procurement thresholds. Staff noted construction‑engineering inspection (CEI) and certain terminal work above the consultant threshold will require separate solicitations.

Airport overlay ordinance and FDOT input

County staff described a draft airport overlay zoning ordinance, prepared in October 2023 to regulate land use and protect the airport’s operational integrity (safety, compatible land use, preservation of navigable airspace and economic development). Staff said it is not a requirement to wait for FDOT input but they sought comment from FDOT District 5 in October 2023 and again in October 2024; staff reported the District 5 contact indicated support for proceeding with PTGA while the ordinance is finalized.

Staff proposed advertising the ordinance in January or February and bringing it to the board for first and second reading in March. Staff also noted coordination with the City of Palm Coast would be useful because the city would adopt complementary rules for lands within its jurisdiction; staff said they would add the overlay ordinance to the Feb. 5 intergovernmental meeting agenda for regional discussion.

Master plan and working group

Staff outlined plans for a formal Flagler Executive Airport master plan update expected to take about 18 months. The county plans to advertise the solicitation in June 2025, expect state funding availability in July 2025, and begin work in July–August 2025. Staff proposed a five‑member stakeholder working group—drawn primarily from local residents and stakeholders (airport tenants, pilots, planning/economic development professionals and similar)—to meet quarterly with the consultant; the working group would be appointed by the board and sunset at the plan’s completion.

Board and public concerns

Commissioners and members of the public raised several operational and oversight concerns. Commissioners asked about succession planning, oversight of the airport director, and whether administrative staffing will keep pace with airport growth; staff said one airport position had been converted to add supervisory capacity and that the airport is an enterprise fund that will add resources as revenues permit.

Public commenters reiterated concerns about aircraft noise and intensity of flight‑training operations, and about perceived inadequate responsiveness to resident complaints. Tenants and commissioners also pressed operational issues such as fuel hours, restaurant delays, parking congestion, and gate damage; staff acknowledged those items and said upgrades to the fuel farm, terminal improvements (including parking and roadway work and a roundabout), and training for directors and supervisors are in the pipeline or being funded.

Next steps

Staff said they will advertise the overlay ordinance and return to the board for readings in March, bring the PTGA for board action on the agenda as appropriate, re‑advertise the master plan solicitation in mid‑2025, convene the intergovernmental review with Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, and return the pulled Van Dam hangar lease for consideration in February. Staff emphasized the survey will be repeated periodically to track progress and that internal follow‑up with airport staff and the director is underway.