- December 15, 2025
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell, along with City Commissioners Jane Mealy and Marshall Shupe, were present at the Dec. 5 county workshop, in support of bringing the National Planning Center of Expertise for Coastal Storm Damage Reduction — or, Coastal PCX — into storm study proceedings. Coastal PCX is an internal advising organization with the Army Corps.
The point would be for the firm to help in determining the most effective solution to beach erosion in Flagler Beach, whether it be traditional renourishment or an alternative. The city’s federal lobbyist firm, Marlowe and Associates, initially made the recommendation.
“Marlowe firmly believes that this other set of eyes will help (us),” Campbell said. “With (PCX) being involved, we’re going to get more consideration … even funding from the federal level.”
But the board wanted more information.
“The county has no proof that it will speed (the study) up. And it may, in fact, increase cost,” Commission Chairwoman Barabara Revels said.
Then again, she added, it may just be a matter of perception. Involving another government entity may give Flagler Beach’s study a higher profile and, thus, higher priority.
“I was hoping we could use this with the Army Corps as leverage,” she said.
PCX is already involved in the Flagler Beach feasibility study. Since the study’s inception, the organization has reviewed the study’s plan twice, and it will review it one additional time regardless of whether the county brings it on in a larger advising/oversight capacity.
But what the perks of that inclusion might be, exactly, remain unclear.
“As staff, I can’t tell you the true cost now,” Coffey admitted. “I can’t tell you the true benefit.”
But he’s going to look into it. Once the project’s new colonel/manager takes charge early next year, Coffey plans to sit down with him and talk logistics.
“I’m all for fast-tacking this project,” Holland added. “But I don’t want to do something with unintended consequences, that’s just going to make it more complex.”
“Whatever staff decides will make (the study) go the quickest,” vice-chairman Nate McLaughlin said, “I think we’re going to be onboard with it.”
