- December 15, 2025
The funds are from the utility enterprise fund to help residents pay bills.
For more than a decade, Palm Coast has provided economically distressed residents with financial assistance to pay their utility bills. The City Council agreed to continue the service earlier this month by reaching an agreement with the county.
Previously, the city contracted with the HOPE Network of Flagler County. The organization closed its doors last year, however, and so the city decided to work with the county on the initiative, instead, according to City Manager Jim Landon.
Richard Adams, public works director for the city, said the contract will automatically be renewed each year as long as the City Council allocates the money. The interlocal agreement will allow the county’s Division of Human Services to determine who is eligible for financial help.
Residents can help, too. About three years ago, Palm Coast began the People Lending Assistance to Neighbors program.
Cynthia Jessup, customer service manager for the city, said the PLAN program was implemented so neighbors can contribute additional money on their utility bills. The money goes into a pot that then goes out to residents who can’t pay their utility bills.
“We allow people to make a contribution to the PLAN on their utility bill, and they select the amount,” Adams said.
For more information, search “PLAN” at www.PalmCoastGov.com.
WATERING RESTRICTIONS TIMES
Palm Coast’s landscape irrigation policy for Daylight Savings Time aligns with the restrictions issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
From March 11 through Nov. 4, residential and nonresidential (business) consumers may water lawns and shrubs according to the following provisions:
• Irrigation is limited to twice a week.
• Odd-numbered residential addresses irrigate Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Even-numbered residential addresses irrigate Thursdays and Sundays.
• Nonresidential (businesses) irrigate Tuesdays and Fridays.
• On your designated day, irrigation is allowed before 10 a.m., and between 4 p.m. and midnight for users of private irrigation wells.
• On your designated day, irrigation is allowed only before 10 a.m. for users of the city’s water system.
• Irrigation is limited to .75 inches of water per irrigation zone and to no more than one hour per irrigation zone.
• Handheld hoses equipped with automatic shut-off nozzles are allowed at any time, as are drip systems/bubblers.
• When reclaimed water is available for irrigation, the use of private irrigation wells is not authorized.
• Customers may irrigate with reclaimed water at any time.
These restrictions apply to water withdrawn from ground or surface water, from a public or private well or pump, or from a public or private water utility. They don’t apply to irrigation using reclaimed water or storm water. Restrictions and exceptions can be found on the city’s website at www.PalmCoastGov.com. For more, contact Brian Matthews at 986-2353.
Email Andrew O’Brien at [email protected].
