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After debate, commissioners direct staff to issue RFP for senior services at county facility
Summary
Facing a Sept. 30 license deadline and competing unsolicited proposals, the board directed staff to prepare a request for proposals for senior services at a county facility rather than commit county operating funds to a single vendor. Commissioners also agreed to perform limited capital improvements to the building and to notify interested proposers.
After an extended discussion about an at‑risk county‑run adult day care, Flagler County commissioners directed staff on July 13 to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified operators for senior services at the county facility, rather than approve a single public‑private operating agreement or commit county operating subsidies.
Interim County Administrator Adam Mingle briefed the board on two competing unsolicited proposals and said the adult day care license requires attention; the program’s license was active but staff needed direction. “She wanted to get a sense of if the board wanted her to prepare for the comprehensive agreement, as providing them that effectively sole source public‑private partnership, or if we wanted to put this out for RFP, RFQ,” Mingle told the board. Commissioners debated risks and timelines: some members favored a P3 with start‑up support, while others opposed committing county operating dollars without competitive bids.
Board members expressed concern about spending county funds to underwrite operations, especially without seeing a final comprehensive agreement. Several commissioners said issuing an RFP would be the fairest and quickest way to test interest and compare operating models — landlord/tenant leases, operating agreements, or nonprofit service contracts — and would allow the two known interested parties to compete alongside others. The board also agreed staff should pursue limited capital improvements to the facility (repairs to parking and building systems) to make it usable for future operators, but declined to promise ongoing operating subsidies.
Staff will prepare an RFP that defines eligible senior services (including adult day care, congregate senior programming or similar services under Title 42, ch. 35 references), permit qualifications, and a clear description of county‑provided capital improvements and what ongoing costs an operator must cover. Commissioners asked that applicants be notified of the Sept. 30 license timeline and be given a short window to respond. The board also asked staff to provide a memo describing the P3 option, typical lease or operating templates, and the legal implications of license assignment before the next meeting.
