Tom W. Bexley

The primary discussion topic for this special meeting concerned the selection process for an acting county administrator, given the anticipated departure of the current administrator. The Board debated various procedural paths, including appointing an interim administrator from existing staff versus immediately initiating a formal search. It was ultimately agreed that Human Resources should engage the Florida Association of County Managers (FAC) to gather information on their search process. The Board also discussed the current administrator's offer to remain until July to finalize the tentative budget, despite some members previously suggesting an immediate separation. The possibility of temporarily utilizing a former Sheriff's Chief for the role was also raised but quickly dismissed due to perceived complications.

The meeting commenced with the pledge to the flag and a moment of silence for first responders and military personnel. The agenda was modified to include two new items: consideration of an employment separation agreement for the county administrator and consideration of a triparty agreement for the creation of a mural on a county facility. Announcements covered upcoming events like Springfest and future commission meetings and workshops. Key agenda items included presentations and proclamations, such as the Flaggler County E911 life saving awards presented to dispatcher Lucas Santos for guiding a caller through CPR on an unresponsive husband, resulting in the patient's spontaneous circulation. Proclamations were adopted for 'Flaggler Reads Together Month' and 'Procurement Month,' recognizing the contributions of library services and procurement professionals, respectively. Additionally, a proclamation designated March 16th through the 20th as 'Government Finance Professional Week.' The meeting was temporarily recessed due to technical issues with the public audio feed, followed by a financial services department overview presentation.

The primary discussion topic for this workshop concerned the Road and Bridge Work Program for 2026. A motion was made and seconded to table this presentation to the subsequent workshop scheduled for March 16th. A procedural vote was conducted to confirm the tabling action.

The meeting primarily featured a detailed overview presentation from the Financial Services Department. Key discussion points included the department's role in supporting frontline services and managing county responsibilities such as TRIM implementation and FEMA issues. The presentation highlighted the team's commitment to professional development, noting several recent certifications and leadership program graduations. Specific data on FY2025 procurement showed an increase in formal contracts to 74 from 45 in FY24, alongside increases in purchasing card transactions, invoices, and purchase orders, indicating growing complexity and workload. The department also detailed improvements in warehouse operations, surplus management which yielded over $2.5 million in sales since restructuring, and grant administration, including managing the $20 million CARES Act funds internally to save an estimated $2 million. Management and Budget reported on facilitating the budget process and monitoring the current budget, maintaining the county's Double A+ bond rating from S&P Global. Future challenges noted included managing growth and increased scrutiny of funds. A subsequent discussion addressed interest earned on general revenue, confirming it can be used as general revenue, though caution was advised regarding relying on it for recurring expenses, as the current practice is to retain it in reserves for sustainability and emergency preparedness.

The session featured a discussion led by Vice Chair Kim Carney, representing District 3, who provided an overview of the county's functions and acknowledged county staff, Commissioner Cunningham, and Commissioner Rick Bell Huer. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL) program, detailing its history, current status (approximately 6,000 acres conserved), funding situation (approximately $14 million remaining), and priority acquisition targets such as the Bill Creek preserve/flood plane addition and the Peterson track acquisition. Concerns were raised regarding the difficulty in acquiring beachfront/intercoastal properties due to the requirement for a willing seller and high costs, as well as discussions about the proposed Bulo Creek acquisition and its relationship with the state-managed Bulo Creek State Park. Separately, Ryan Simpson from Emergency Management presented an update on the new 100% grant-funded Flagler County Expo Hall, which will feature over 15,000 square feet of functional space.