Posted on November 11, 2026
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Flagler County commissioners are weighing three options to restore nearly six miles of eroding coastline, but each comes with its own challenges, from high construction costs to environmental concerns.
During a Nov. 9 workshop, Casey Connor, a coastal engineer with Moffatt & Nichol, presented alternatives for the Reach 3 Beach Nourishment Project, stretching from Varn Park north to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
The first option would cost approximately $85 million and involve trucking 700,000 cubic yards of sand onto the beach to build larger protective dunes.
The second, estimated at $61 million, would use sand dredged offshore, temporarily stockpiled near Varn Park and transported north. Both alternatives would avoid directly covering protected rock formations known as hardbottom habitats.
The third option, estimated at $37 million, would create a wider recreational beach using approximately 1.05 million cubic yards of sand.
However, that seemingly less expensive option presents the greatest environmental concerns.
Connor explained that the wider beach could cover more than 51 acres of protected hardbottom habitat. Required environmental mitigation could cost an additional $193 million to $734 million or more. State and federal permitting agencies have also indicated that the third alternative may not receive approval.
Despite their differences, Connor said all three alternatives provide relatively similar storm protection.
The presentation also highlighted concerns about increasingly damaging coastal conditions, including recent king tides and a nor’easter that produced water levels significantly above predictions.
“These prolonged lower magnitude events can produce similar erosion to very large scale short term events,” Connor said.
During public comment, Hammock Dunes Owners Association President Greg Davis questioned whether the county’s proposed nourishment schedule was realistic.
“I’ve been president of Hammock Dunes Owners Association for four and a half years,” Davis said. “We’ve done three renourishments within the past four and a half years and we’re due to another one.”
Davis also questioned the financial sustainability of repeatedly restoring the coastline.
“At $87 million a kick, it just doesn’t appear that it’s really sustainable long term,” Davis said. “That’s a lot of money.”
The county has approximately $10 million remaining in state hurricane recovery funding that could be used for Reach 3 without a local match. The project could also qualify for additional state grants covering up to 33% of remaining construction costs
The engineering team hopes to narrow down the options in November and have a recommendation ready for the county in December. If everything stays on schedule, permit applications could be submitted in spring 2027, with construction beginning in 2028.
Commissioners did not make a final decision during the workshop.
In other news…..
Flagler County, Humane Society continue contract negotiations
Flagler County commissioners continued discussing the future of animal control services during their Nov. 9 workshop, with questions about funding, accountability and oversight still unresolved.
The Flagler Humane Society continues providing services without a finalized contract as negotiations with the county move forward.
Humane Society Executive Director Amy Carotenuto defended the organization’s work, emphasizing that animal control involves more than enforcing ordinances.
“It’s not enforcing laws and ticketing people and taking their animals away. It’s working with them to have them become more responsible pet owners,” Carotenuto said.
A proposed one-year agreement would provide the Humane Society $350,000 annually for animal control and sheltering services.
Commissioners also discussed longer-term plans for a collaborative animal shelter with Palm Coast.
County staff were directed to continue negotiations and bring a revised agreement back for consideration Nov. 16.
In other news…..
Flagler County faces potential loss of millions in revenue under Amendment 3
Flagler County could lose tens of millions of dollars in annual property tax revenue following the passage of Florida’s Amendment 3, county officials warned during a Nov. 9 workshop.
Estimates from Florida’s Revenue Estimating Conference indicate Flagler County could lose $33.1 million in property tax revenue during the first year and $59.3 million in the second year. County officials said the adopted budget includes approximately $140 million in annual property tax revenue.
Interim County Administrator Adam Mengel said department heads have been asked to identify potential reductions and explain how those cuts would affect services.
The county is also considering delaying capital projects and vehicle purchases, including ambulances, while examining privatization and consolidation opportunities.
Mengel described the potential financial impact as “cataclysmic.”
Sheriff Rick Staly acknowledged that difficult decisions lie ahead.
“There’s going to be hard decisions by all of us,” Staly said.
In other news…..
Flagler County Master Gardener program remains on hold amid funding uncertainty
Flagler County’s Master Gardener program is still on hold, and dozens of volunteers are wondering when they’ll be able to return to work.
During the Nov. 9 County Commission workshop, volunteers voiced frustration over poor communication and the county’s failure to fill the horticultural agent position, which has been vacant since December 2025.
Denise Cochran, a Master Gardener volunteer, highlighted the contributions of more than 50 volunteers who previously provided free plant clinics, soil testing and educational programs throughout the county.
Volunteers also questioned when the program would resume and whether the county intended to fill the vacant position.
Interim County Administrator Adam Mengel explained that the position remains funded but unfilled because of uncertainty surrounding Amendment 3 and potential budget cuts.
Mengel said the county wants to avoid hiring someone only to eliminate the position because of future funding shortages.
Commissioners discussed alternative ways to preserve the program, but no final decision was reached.
