Flagler County faces setback after setback, with the latest blow delivered by none other than Governor Ron DeSantis.
Following local residents' vocal opposition to tax increases, the governor has now wielded his veto power to cut critical funding for the county. In an epic pen swipe, Gov. Ron DeSantis axed the following funding for Flagler County:
- Palm Coast: $6 million for the construction of a YMCA at the city's town center.
- Marineland: $150,000 for a study on private land acquisition.
- Bunnell: $2.3 million for water system projects, including the installation of a new well.
- Bunnell: $2.25 million for water treatment plant and collections systems projects.
- Flagler County: $10,131,988 for septic to sewer conversions and water treatment expansion.
- Palm Coast: $4 million for drainage improvements in the flood-prone area near the intersection of Colbert Lane and Blare Drive.
- Palm Coast: $5 million for regional rapid infiltration basin expansion for wastewater treatment.
- Palm Coast: $1 million for capacity expansion of Wastewater Treatment Facility #1.
- Bunnell: $3.5 million to repair "deteriorated" city streets. A second line item for $1.5 million references the same project. Both were cut.
- Bunnell: $500,000 for the restoration of the historic city hall.
Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the gravity with which he approaches his veto power, stating,
"When the Legislature funds things... I can line-item veto different items out of the budget. I think the record for vetoes was $800 million before I became governor. A couple of years ago, we did $3.3 billion in vetoes, that was 3% of the budget that we vetoed, saving money, putting money away, so we're very protective of taxpayer resources. And we have to look to see what is in the best interest of the state."
While some of these budget items could be reconsidered and addressed later, essential needs such as infrastructure and water cannot be postponed.
