Palm Coast Charter Review Committee presses to meet Feb. 1 deadline; agrees consultant will present and sets 50-mile residency guideline for city manager

The Palm Coast Charter Review Committee convened Jan. 12 and set an accelerated schedule to get proposed charter changes to City Council in time for publication of the council packet. Chair O'Brien opened the meeting and the panel approved minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting by voice vote.

New City Manager Mike McLaughlin introduced himself to the committee and offered staff support. "My name is Mike McLaughlin. I'm the new City Manager, here in Palm Coast," he said, adding he has previously participated in charter review processes and will be available to the committee.

Deputy City Manager Lauren Johnston told the committee that the practical deadline for getting materials to City Council is Feb. 1 so the council agenda packet can be published two weeks before the Feb. 17 council meeting. "It's really we need it, you know, the February 1 because we need to publish the agenda 2 weeks in advance," she said.

Committee members and staff debated what deliverable to provide council: a consultant-authored narrative report or a concise redline/strike-through showing each proposed charter edit and the rationale. The committee coalesced around…