A $400 Million Error? Mayor Mike Norris Flips Amid Public Backlash, Calls for Moratorium
March 10, 2025 – Palm Coast, FL
In what many are calling a political stunt, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris has abruptly reversed his stance on the city’s controversial utility rate hike, now opposing the measure unless an indefinite moratorium on new residential construction is implemented. The dramatic shift comes just days after he voted in favor of the increase during the City Council’s first reading of the ordinance, a move that sparked outrage among residents.
The proposed utility rate hike were initially backed by Norris, who argued they were necessary to comply with state mandates and modernize aging infrastructure. At the March 4 City Council meeting, Norris stated, “We are under an FDEP consent order, so these are things we have to do. They are no fault of anybody in this room. It’s just the circumstances.” He further acknowledged ” we are in this situation as a community, and we have to do what’s right.”
However, after Flagler Live published an article detailing his support, the backlash was swift. The piece drew more than 60 critical comments, with residents accusing Norris of siding with developers over longtime taxpayers. Many claimed he was “in the developers’ pocket,” prioritizing rapid growth over the financial burdens placed on homeowners. Norris labeled the accusations “ridiculous.”
Faced with mounting public pressure, Norris quickly pivoted, now demanding an indefinite halt on new residential development as a condition for his vote on the rate increase. “We are never going to catch up, and it’s always going to fall on the backs of our residents,” he declared during a special council workshop, warning that continued development would lead to financial disaster.
In an apparent effort to distance himself from accusations of favoring developers, Norris fired back at his critics, insisting that he is committed to making developers shoulder the costs of new infrastructure. “People need to stop saying I’m in the developers’ pocket—I’m not,” he said. After defending himself, he stated he would only vote for funds necessary to maintain the infrastructure if there was an indefinite building moratorium which according most might cripple our local economy.
According to the National Association of Home Builders report dated, December 2024 , “The Metro Area Impact of Home Building in Flagler County, Florida,” residential development already generates significant net revenue for local governments. The report analyzed the financial impact of building 100 single-family homes in Flagler County, finding a cumulative surplus of $24.3 million over 15 years, far exceeding the associated infrastructure and service costs totaling $11.1 million. Scaling this analysis to recent growth, where approximately 2,300 single-family homes were constructed in 2023 alone, local governments would receive roughly $486 million in cumulative revenue over 15 years, significantly surpassing estimated costs of about $222 million, including debt service for infrastructure.
This data challenges Norris’s claims. the data shows residential development consistently produces substantial annual operating surpluses, allowing reinvestment into community projects or potential tax offsets, and reinforcing arguments that new home construction ultimately benefits local jurisdictions financially. Norris’ “indefinite moratorium” appears to cause more harm than good and likely cause taxes to increase.
Norris’s sudden change of heart has raised eyebrows among council members and residents alike, with critics questioning whether his newfound opposition is a genuine policy shift or simply a calculated political maneuver to save face. Previously, on February 12, Norris emphasized addressing infrastructure problems directly, declaring, “The can has been kicked down the road for too long. We are not willing to kick on.” The City Council will discuss the issue further before a final vote on March 18, leaving many to wonder whether Norris’s latest stance is rooted in principle—or merely damage control.
Typical, Norris is just like every other no good politician.