Flagler County’s Beach Future at Risk: Political Paralysis and the High Cost of Inaction

Flagler County’s Beach Future at Risk: Political Paralysis and the High Cost of Inaction

Flagler County’s $114 million beach management plan, once considered a vital step toward long-term coastal protection and economic stability, is now floundering in political indecision. While public and municipal support remains strong, the plan’s future is hanging by a thread—primarily due to the wavering stances of County Commissioners Kim Carney and Pam Richardson.

Though both initially supported the plan—including a proposed half-cent sales tax to fund beach renourishment—their recent about-face has left the county at a standstill. Their opposition, however, is not paired with constructive alternatives or a clear path forward. In fact, neither commissioner has proposed any viable substitute for the sales tax, leaving observers to conclude that their resistance is rooted more in ideological opposition to taxes than in a sincere attempt to solve a long-term problem.

“I just don’t want to raise taxes. I just don’t. I said I would hold the line. I want to hold the line,” said Richardson, offering no financial substitute for the plan’s funding shortfall.
— Pam Richardson, March 2025

Carney echoed similar sentiments, calling the tax a “band-aid” and floating vague notions about possibly using funds from the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program—without a clear policy framework or community support.

“Maybe the county is ready. Maybe we have exhausted our search for ESL,” she mused during a March meeting, offering no concrete motion to redirect funds.
— Kim Carney, March 2025

This lack of leadership has become a critical concern for municipal officials and residents alike, who fear that without a unified strategy, Flagler County could face environmental, financial, and reputational consequences.

Local Governments Step Up as County Wavers

The City of Flagler Beach has been a vocal advocate of the countywide beach protection plan. Commissioners and Mayor Suzie Johnston stressed the importance of preserving the barrier island and expressed dismay over the county’s growing indecision.

“This is a Flagler County asset. This is something that could work,”
— Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley

The cities of Palm Coast and Bunnell have also shown conditional support, agreeing to allocate half of their respective sales tax revenue to beach preservation. Palm Coast Councilman Ty Miller noted that, compared to debt or special assessments, a small sales tax is the most equitable solution.

Community and Stakeholder Warnings

Community leaders and stakeholders have issued dire warnings about the consequences of doing nothing.

“The people who live on the beach happen to contribute a monstrous share of the tax base of this county. Estimates are 30 percent,” said Hammock resident Jim Ulsamer, reminding commissioners that the beach is not a niche interest, but a countywide economic pillar.

“We are approaching $8 million into this thing so far, and we cannot wait any longer,”
— Greg Davis, Hammock Dunes Owners Association

FlaglerLive readers, typically an engaged and vocal public, have not held back in their criticism. One reader wrote:

“The voters in District 3 made a huge mistake in supporting [Carney’s] candidacy. She fooled us.”
— Reader comment, FlaglerLive

The Cost of Inaction

Without a beach management plan and a dedicated funding stream:

• Federal and state funding could vanish. Participation in federal renourishment programs requires local cost-sharing and maintenance commitments. Without that, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could withdraw support from future projects.
• Property values will decline. Coastal properties account for roughly 30% of the county’s tax base. Their erosion threatens to shift the tax burden inland, raising taxes for residents far from the ocean.
• Tourism will take a hit. Flagler Beach draws visitors from across the state. A degraded shoreline would reduce tourist revenue, affecting local businesses and job opportunities.
• Infrastructure will be exposed. Beach erosion threatens roads, utilities, and stormwater systems, turning minor coastal issues into major capital expenditures.

Political Fallout

The paralysis within the County Commission threatens to undermine confidence in Flagler’s ability to plan for the future. Commissioner Andy Dance expressed frustration with the breakdown in consensus:

“We’re losing the opportunity to make a generational impact to preserve the beach community.”
— Andy Dance, Commission Chair

In many ways, Carney’s and Richardson’s positions reflect not just a rejection of a tax, but a rejection of the entire premise that proactive, coordinated governance is necessary to protect shared assets.

Conclusion

Flagler County’s coastline stands at a critical juncture. With millions already invested in the planning process and widespread support from municipalities, coastal property owners, and community stakeholders, the momentum behind the beach management initiative has been strong. Yet, without agreement on a sustainable funding strategy—such as the proposed half-cent sales tax—the plan risks collapsing under its own weight.

Commissioners Kim Carney and Pam Richardson have voiced opposition to the sales tax but have not offered detailed, actionable alternatives. Their hesitancy has introduced uncertainty at a time when federal and state funding partners expect clear commitments. The potential consequences—loss of grant eligibility, declining property values, reduced tourism, and increased infrastructure exposure—are not abstract. They are real and immediate.

What happens next rests with the County Commission. Whether it forges ahead, revises course, or abandons the effort altogether will shape the future of Flagler County’s coastline for decades to come.

For the latest updates, visit FlaglerLive, Palm Coast Observer, or the commission meeting sites for Flagler Beach, Palm Coast, and Bunnell.