Flagler delegation hears local requests for trails, water and public‑safety projects as officers are elected

Representative Sam Greco and Senator Tom Leek were elected delegation officers and local leaders pressed the new Flagler County legislative delegation Wednesday for state backing on a range of infrastructure, public safety and education projects as lawmakers warned statewide member‑project funding will likely shrink to pre‑COVID levels.

Local officials delivered a coordinated set of requests aimed at water and wastewater work, stormwater and drainage projects, beach renourishment, a regional trails and conservation center, school funding fixes and behavioral‑health facilities — many asking the delegation to help secure matching state dollars.

The county’s delegation first named Representative Sam Greco chair and Senator Tom Leek vice chair by voice vote. Later in the meeting the delegation also voted — again by voice — to nominate Senator Leek as chair and Greco as vice chair of the 2026 delegation; counts were not specified on the record.

The county presented a brochure of priorities covering agriculture, health and safety, resiliency, conservation, recreation and small‑business growth. Andrew Dance, chair of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, said the county’s top capital project requests include the design and construction of the Black Branch North Drainage System, relocation and construction of a sheriff’s substation and marine unit on county land of the barrier island, renovation and expansion of the UF/IFAS Extension Office, and completion funding for a Regional Trails and Conservation Center. “Projects that benefit our residents by supporting agriculture, health and…