City Council Considers Legislative Priorities

Under the themes of Safety Through Smart Growth, Reduce the Risk of Flood, Protection of Water Supply, Protection of Water Quality and Community Preservation, the Palm Coast City Council recently discussed its priorities for the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee.

Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo walked council members through the various categories, beginning with the construction projects on Old Kings Road. The project, split into three phases, is scheduled to resume with Phase 2 in 2025 and DeLorenzo said Phase 3 funding was one of the items staff included on the priorities list.

“There is probably some benefit if we receive the funds, we could package Phase 2 and Phase 3 together,” he said. “It could reduce some of the pain in the area because it would be one project instead of two.”

Council member Theresa Pontieri questioned whether it was wise to consider the legislative priorities before council members had a chance to speak with the city’s lobbyist about the programs likely to receive state funding.

“I think we are making really big decisions on behalf of our city, even our county and regionally before we package it for the legislature,” she said.

DeLorenzo said the city is working to have its priorities included in the booklet Flagler County officials will present to state legislators.

“We’re working under the county’s timeline here and we’re already behind,” he said. “If you don’t finalize the list then we’re not going to be able to be in the county’s booklet.”

Pontieri said City Council needs more information about which federal funding programs state officials are considering before the city can prioritize its list/

“We need to make sure we are all on the same page,” she said. “I don’t want us to not be in the booklet, but I think it’s important that we get on the same page.”

One area the City Council was on the same page with was water issues, including water supply and wastewater treatment.

“I want to say specifically we need water,” said Mayor Mike Norris. “As long as we rank order them and if you guys could come back to us with specifics so we can target the ask.”

In the end, water issues were moved to the top of the list, with the Old Kings Road project dropped to the middle. Also on the list of priorities are funding requests for a YMCA facility, refitting Fire Station 22, refurbishing the Friesa Zamba pool, well exploration and flood mitigation projects.

City officials will schedule meetings with state legislators before the annual session begins in early March and will present the priorities list at the annual legislative delegation meeting which will take place in early 2025.