The Flagler County Commission held its first budget public hearing and then heard from 3 finalists for county administrator about their plans during a special called meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2026. The meeting started at 5:01 p.m.
First budget hearing
The board approved the special assessment rolls, the 2027-2031 five-year capital improvement program, set the tentative tax rate and budget, among other things. No members of the public spoke on any of the matters.
Interim Financial Services Director Brian Eginger told commissioners that the total operating tax rate of 7.9737 mills is 0.93% below the “rollback rate” of 8.0486 mills. The total tax rate, including the voter-approved environmentally sensitive lands and judicial center levies, is 8.0698 mills, which is less than the current year’s 8.18 mills. The total tentative budget of about 333.3 million is slightly lower than the previous version. The board scheduled its second and final budget hearing for Monday, Sept. 14 at 5:01 p.m.
3 finalists present their plans
Following the budget hearing, the 3 finalists presented approximately 20-minute versions of their 30, 60, and 90-day plans and answered questions. A fourth finalist, Sean Boatwright, had taken another job.
Tracy Miller is a 33-year veteran of the local government field and former strategic planner who likened her first 90 days on the job to a relay race, saying it was a “sprint to 2027.” She identified herself as a collaborative and transparent leader and said she came to the position “prepared, but not presumptuous.” When asked what she would do to bring the 5 commissioners together, Miller replied that reaching a consensus is the board’s job, not hers: “Consensus is really your job.”
Richard Reed, who has served on the city councils of several Florida cities and in county government, said he would keep commissioners in the loop with weekly updates so they are not surprised “walking down the aisle of Publix or Walmart.” Reed highlighted his experience with land conservation, beach nourishment, budget cuts in anticipation of potential tax reform, and animal control via a partnership with the sheriff.
Aaron Van Cleek, a 23-year veteran of the Volusia County government, outlined 3 phases: listen and assess, align and build, and deliver and sustain. Van Cleek said he is “not a micromanager” and will empower department heads. “What I say privately is what I will say publicly,” Van Cleek said. “I am a man of my word.” Van Cleek named some of his initial priorities, including rewriting the land development code, planning for tax reform, funding for the beach, and animal control.
Public comment
2 residents spoke. David Eckert offered to distribute his ranked notes on the candidates and mentioned tension between the county and its cities. Allison Nobles spoke to the board for the first time and complimented all 3 candidates, urging local governments to work together and for more transparency, saying “We’re all together in this.”
After the meeting, the public was invited to a meet-and-greet with the candidates. The board said it would reconvene the next morning to decide what to do next.
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