David Alfin, Palm Coast Mayoral Candidate, recently submitted his answers to the last interview before the primary election. You can read our questions in bold, followed by Mr. Alfin’s answers.
Primaries are right around the corner; you are currently running against Alan Lowe, Mike Norris, Peter Johnson, and Cornelia Manfre. What reasons should voters choose you over the other candidates?
Experience and continuity of leadership are key elements of success in the next term. I have assembled a network of resources and support from state, regional, and local officials that are essential to smartly plan and finance our future.
Many people are concerned about electing a candidate with ties to real estate and development; what connections do you have to the real estate and development communities?
I currently hold an Associate Broker’s real estate license issued by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Although I have not used the license during my term in office, I consider the training and knowledge base that supports the license to be a valuable resource for understanding land development projects presented to city council.
Residential development in Palm Coast has been a major concern; in what ways are you planning to balance that out to a manageable level so that the city can catch up on overdue and necessary infrastructure needs?
Concurrency is Florida’s law that requires infrastructure, public safety, schools, and all other essential services to be in place before new development can be approved and constructed. The City of Palm Coast follows a detailed and thorough process of permitting to ensure that all new construction is met with and has available all infrastructure needs.
Environmental conservation of our green space in Palm Coast is also a top concern in the community. In what ways are you planning to conserve our green spaces, trees, wetlands, and other natural resources?
Our Comprehensive Plan dictates the conservation of green space and its environmental components. I re-opened the plan to gather resident’s comments and wishes for an environmentally sustainable community and support the enforcement of our newly updated and revised Imagine 2050 project. The Comprehensive Plan stresses the importance of and protection of all our natural resources.
Taxes are among the top-tier hot topics this election year. Our tax base is 93% residentially funded with only a small percentage coming from commercial tax bases. What plans do you have to diversify the tax base without hurting the residents with added taxes, fees, or other financial burdens?
The success of economic development is highly dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce that can afford local housing. New and diverse businesses are attracted to areas that can fulfill their employment needs. Adding housing for skilled workers while marketing our quality of life to healthcare services and technology companies will increase the number and types of companies that can enjoy a successful business model in Palm Coast.
Economic development: many claim that to be a successful city, there have to be economic opportunities for residents who live here; meaning quality jobs with higher wages. How do you plan to grow the economic base for Palm Coast and bring in more high-paying jobs for residents?
See previous answer.
Stormwater, flooding, swales, and canals are considered undermaintained by many in the community. What are your plans to ensure that our unique system of canals and swales gets caught up on maintenance and stays maintained in the future?
The newly revised and updated Comprehensive Plan sets service levels desired by residents. City Council is charged with providing adequate budget allowances that deliver the service requirements. Increased efficiency in operations and careful budget planning are necessary to provide improved service without adding additional taxes.
Some residents have had concerns that you are in bed with developers, approving large developments, approving multifamily complexes in residential neighborhoods, and some say even siding with the developers over your constituents. What would you like to say on the matter?
These concerns are unfounded and without merit. I serve the community honestly and ethically. It is with skill, care, and diligence that I work on behalf of all the residents of Palm Coast.
