Palm Coast City adds stormwater crews and aims for 60‑mile maintenance target

At a recent Palm Coast City committee meeting, Lynn, a city staff member, told committee members the city has added several stormwater work crews since the 2023 stormwater rate study and associated rate increase.

Lynn said the city added a hybrid ditch/swale crew that was later split into two crews, a second culvert crew, and the city’s first freshwater canal crew to manage what she estimated as “over 65 miles” of freshwater canals. "We are the only open swale storm water system in the state of Florida that cleans culverts," Lynn said, describing a level of service the city provides in‑house. She also said a concrete/asphalt crew was created in October to help with spillways and that the pipe crew is handling many pipe replacements internally; the new concrete/asphalt crew was nearly fully staffed, with one position still open.

A committee member asked whether staff expect to manage more than 55 miles in the coming fiscal year. Lynn noted that staff exceeded a 50‑mile goal set last year and said she is pushing toward a 60‑mile target even though staff remain cautious about meeting the goal. "They're a little nervous about not meeting a goal, but I think they can definitely do it," she said.

Before adjourning, the chair confirmed follow‑up tasks: staff will check with the city attorney about reporting requirements and will update the presentation used at the meeting and circulate it for committee review. Committee members agreed to meet on Jan. 8 for the next scheduled session.

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded and carried by voice vote; individual tallies were not specified. The meeting lasted roughly 20 minutes.

Next steps: staff will report back with any guidance from the attorney and the updated presentation at the committee’s next meeting on Jan. 8.