Fernando Melendez, one of the two candidates running for Flagler County Commissioners, has sent in his answers to our questions in one of the last interviews to be published before early voting starts on August 10th. You can read our questions in bold, followed by Mr. Melendez’s answers.
- Economic development is a subject many are concerned about. With the rising cost of living in Flagler County and few options for work within the county, how do you plan to combat this issue if elected? After shutting down the Economic Development Department we had, the county has basically gone with the generic approach. This is a wait-and-see if economic growth happens on its own. This approach will never let us balance out our tax base, let alone bring in jobs with higher wages. My opponent has had four years to show us any footprint that he can claim on any kind of economic development that has been part of except talk a good game. I will commit to your readers that from day one, I will focus strongly on bringing in outside monies, meaning investors, to invest in our county by setting up shop here, therefore providing much-needed services and jobs and helping balance our commercial tax base.
- Many residents are concerned about electing people to office with ties to the real estate and development communities. What ties to those industries do you have? I have none since I am not either a realtor or a developer, having said that, I do know that this issue is a concern to many and one that we should try to be on top of, I say that because I would not like to see us outgrow our infrastructure needs and then try playing catching up to it. The experience I bring to the table after serving on the Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board for the last three years is key because the focus for me at least is on making sure these developments are conforming to our general development codes to begin with and more importantly conforming to our already existing communities.
- Environmental conservation has become one of the top concerns among residents in light of all the recent development projects. How are you working to balance the need for growth with the conservation of the environment in Flagler County? Development is a very complex but important issue here in Flagler County, but at the same time, the county is doing its part in working hard to conserve lands. I will hold accountable every developer with their plans on developing any projects that don’t address setting aside a substantial parcel, whether for a playground or wildlife. So, yes, the county is doing a great job at not only conservation but acquiring additional properties to ensure more conservation. Just recently, Flagler County made its first in ten years acquisition of Environmentally Sensitive lands. I hope to continue to further those efforts. This is a great addition to our conservation lands inventory; The property is adjacent on three sides to the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Pellicer Creek Conservation Area – approximately 3,000 acres of conservation land in northeastern Flagler County that is connected to the 1,500-acre Princess Place Preserve. I will continue to balance the need for growth with our conservation efforts.
- With the Primaries right around the corner, what would you like to inform voters of when it comes to remembering you at the polls? I would like to inform all voters that voter turnout is very important in these local elections. If we do not get a sizable turnout, then we risk the chance of letting just a handful of residents/voters dictate who will be our next in government leadership. We need to step up in voting as the new generation of residents of Flagler County and start voting in representatives that represent us new taxpayers.
- Andy Dance has been involved in the local political scene for many years. He has a large support base. Why do you feel you are the better choice? What qualifies you to unseat him this election year?
As a landscape architect, which is an admirable profession, and as a planning environmentalist professional that he is, his platforms center around the Ecosystems and Environmental aspects of our county. All of these are very important when it comes to protecting wildlife corridors, saving trees, microclimate concerns, environmental base concerns, etc. The truth of the matter is that after speaking with hundreds upon hundreds of residents while petitioning for signatures the consensus is that he’s completely disconnected and out of touch with the issues at hand. Residents want to see tax relief, economic growth, housing affordability, infrastructure improvements, and responsible rezonings, all of which he hasn’t even tried to address. In his last live interview four years ago, he stated at length how he was going to tackle economic development, there is not one economic plan with his print on it. He even also voted against expanding our commercial tax base when he voted on a 240-unit apartment complex on SR100 near BJs. The residents give him a D- and that’s why he should be replaced.
I believe that my preparation to be successful from day one is based on my qualifications, which are a combination of experience, skills, and resources. My background in education has prepared me to serve my community. I hold a bachelor’s degree in human services and psychology from Boricua College in New York and a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in economic growth from Southern New Hampshire University. I am also a Palm Coast Virtual Citizens Academy 2017 graduate, a Flagler County 2024 Citizens Academy graduate, a former board member on the 2021 Palm Coast Redistricting Commission Board, and a former Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board member for a three-year term serving as chair in my last year which ended just this past March (2024). I am also the current Community Director for the (KOC) at SEAS Parish. Lastly, I hold a certificate of completion from the Florida Institute for Political Leadership (2021).
- What accomplishments have you achieved in the Flagler County Area that you are proud to take credit for in terms of helping better the community? I am very proud of the years I volunteered both on the Palm Coast Redistricting Commission Board and the Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board, where my voting record shows one of a very responsible and knowledgeable board member.
- Taxes are a large concern as well among residents in the county. What plans do you have to mitigate the tax burden on residents in Flagler County?
I would start by looking at all individual budgets of all departments and see where the spending is going. For example, Human Resources has a request for this year’s budget at an increase of 17.10%. That’s one that I would look at cutting. Seems a bit excessive. I would then look at our General Services – Facilities Management since its budget request is at an 18% increase. And lastly, I would investigate overall staffing and utilities to see if there are any possible savings in that area. HR, General Services – Facilities Management, and staffing and utilities.
The County should rethink its policymaking decisions twice, as they have proven to be costly. Real Estate) such as the Captain Barbeque restaurant debacle and others (Sheriff’s Operations Center and Sears building), going back sometime when taxpayers lost millions of dollars, and we are still paying for it. Taxation: Stop pushing for the half-cent sales tax or try to raise property taxes every time the county finds themselves scrambling to find more funding. Be more fiscally responsible. Stop spending on things the county doesn’t need now and taxpayers do not want to pay for. A New Helicopter $5.5 million, a New Drone $250K, New Building (Nexus Center) – a multi-purpose facility to house both a new library and the county’s Health and Human Services Department at a total of 16 million with approximately half coming from existing library passport fees and another portion $4 million from a state grant. You, the taxpayer, will pay 8 to 9 million. Infrastructure, Roads, Bridges, Lighting, and Stormwater. With 16,000 new residents moving into Flagler County within the last three years, we need to not only look to maintain and improve our infrastructure but also expand it to get ahead of the growth. Infrastructure needs are lacking, and resurfacing SR100 instead of expanding it is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
To find out more about Fernando Melendez and his campaign, you can visit his website here.
