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County confirms contract for cold‑weather shelter; municipalities share cost under current arrangement
Summary
Health and Human Services said the county has a contract with a cold‑weather shelter vendor that charges roughly $1,000 per night; the county divides the seasonal cost among four jurisdictions and is negotiating changes for next fiscal year.
Health and Human Services staff told the Flagler County Board on June 16 that the county has a contract with the Cold Weather Shelter Group and that, under current terms, the county pays roughly $1,000 per night for the shelter when it is opened.
Joe Hegatus, director of Health and Human Services, said the annual arrangement is designed around a seasonal number of nights. He explained the county budgets the full cost up front and then seeks reimbursement from the three other participating municipalities; if the county used all 24 nights, the county’s share would be about $6,000 after reimbursement.
Commissioners questioned why the shelter continues at its present location rather than transitioning to the county expo center. Hegatus said discussions are ongoing and that a new contract for the upcoming fiscal year would start in October; staff will examine alternatives during the vendor‑selection process.
Separately, Eichinger told the board the county has increased outside‑agency funding tied to cold‑weather shelter needs and has sought additional municipal support for Palm Coast utility assistance provided through the public assistance budget.
No formal vote occurred. Staff said the county will negotiate terms in the new contract cycle and consult the municipalities about funding parity and potential shifts in service location.
