Questions about settling an unfiled lawsuit, paying $17 million for a property with an assumed $1.9 million bond, city attorney's water capacity statements to the planning board, council compensation lacking voter approval under the city charter, and a request to explain abbreviated budget line items on the record.
Budget and Procurement Manager Gwen Ragsdale and Accountant II Raelene Bowman presented the final proposed FY2027 budget of $533.9 million — a 23.3% decrease from the FY2026 adopted budget — with the millage set at the rollback rate of 4.1387 mills.
Post-hearing changes to the general fund included a $15,000 cultural grant increase to $90,000, $250,000 set aside for the animal shelter, and funding for two additional deputies offset by leaving one currently-vacant position unfunded.
The Flagler Humane Society contract was confirmed at $210,000, up from approximately $190,000 the prior year.
The five-year capital improvement plan for FY2027 totals approximately $280 million, led by the water/wastewater utility capital fund at $161 million.
The SR 100 Corridor CRA Board convened to adopt the CRA's final FY2026-2027 budget.
After brief public comment from one speaker who was redirected to the appropriate agenda item, the board voted 4-1 to adopt the resolution, with Vice Mayor Pontieri casting the dissenting vote.
The council adopted the millage rate of 4.1387 mills for FY2026-2027, equal to the rollback rate and representing a 0% increase.
One public speaker commented that the new rollback rate exceeds the current millage rate and referenced Governor DeSantis's position on keeping rates flat.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Speaker commented that the new rollback rate is higher than the current millage rate and referenced Governor DeSantis's position on keeping tax rates flat, characterizing the rollback as taxing unrealized gains.
The council adopted the final FY2026-2027 city budget totaling $533,947,885.
Council members offered remarks praising staff for navigating a difficult budget season with significant staff turnover, and highlighting the council's multi-year record of holding to rollback or reducing the millage rate.
One public speaker requested salary and benefit figures for the city manager, council, and department directors be stated on the record.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Speaker requested that the city manager salary and benefits, council compensation, and department director salaries be quoted on the record for the budget years 2024 and 2025 for comparison, and stated these are major community concerns.
Director of Public Works Matt Mancill presented the FY2027 Fleet Replacement/Purchase Program, covering 112 vehicles and equipment items selected from 368 assessed as end-of-life, including 53 golf carts.
Replaced vehicles are auctioned via GovDeals with proceeds returned to the fleet replacement fund; staff uses Faster Fleet software to evaluate residual values.
One public speaker raised concerns about end-of-life criteria, the auction process, potential staff purchases of city vehicles, and called for a forensic audit of the city's budget.
Mayor Norris defended the fleet manager's qualifications.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Speaker questioned the criteria used to determine end-of-life for vehicles, raised concerns about whether staff or council members' families can purchase vehicles at the GovDeals auction, and called for a forensic audit of the city's budget, alleging the fleet replacement program is excessive and that compensation for directors, the city manager, and council has not been approved by voters.
Speaker expressed confusion about the CRA board proceedings and then raised concerns about the city manager's salary being a community concern, before being redirected by the chair to the upcoming city budget item.