The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held their 9am meeting, December 4th, 2023. Chairman Andy Dance kicked off the meeting by announcing the dates in December that County Offices will be closed; December 25th, 26th and 29th in observance of Christmas and New Year’s.
Lori Vetter Bowers was recognized at the beginning of the meeting for having her photograph of Flagler County’s portion of the Intracoastal Waterway selected to be in the Florida Association of Counties Calendar.
The Beach Restoration project was one of the consent agenda items that the board heard on. This item is on the continued process of restoring our county’s beaches. Commissioner Sullivan stated that while they are committed to the beach restoration, he is concerned about the cost. Greg Hansen also stated that they are $27 million dollars short for the year, so cost is a factor in his eyes. Ultimately the board voted to approve 4-1.
The county will be changing where they publish their public notices; they will no longer be publishing those notices in the News-Journal, but will be posting them in the Observer. This will happen January 1st.
County Attorney Al Hadeed brought a records request issue to the boards attention as well. Flagler Live filed a public records request in regards to the most recent planning board appointee, Ms. Heather Haygood. The request was sent to her on November 21st, 2023. The request is still outstanding; Florida Law states that records requests need to be met with promptly. The County IT department was also instructed to scour their records for the information requested and that was sent this last Friday. Commissioner Hansen, stated that Ms. Haygood alleged that Hansen sent her inappropriate emails, but no record of them have been found. He stated this should cause the board to reconsider her position on the Flagler County Planning Board. Leann Pennington stated her concerns are that Ms. Haygood continues to renew her real estate license at a Volusia County address, and Pennington feels there are plenty of homesteaded or residents who rent here in Florida that would like to serve on that board. The motion was made to reconsider her position on the board at the next BOCC board meeting, the motion passed unanimously.
There is still an ongoing discussion on how the county should proceed with Bulow. Many of those who live onsite are feeling stressed and unhappy with code enforcement officers coming out on a regular basis to inspect the grounds. Heidi Petito stated that code enforcement is making monthly checks at the behest of the property owners who are based on the west coast of Florida. Pennington has stated that Congressman Waltz’s office is now involved in the matter, and she feels that it might be best to hold a town hall or a workshop in order to get all those involved in the situation on the same page.
