- December 15, 2025
The county will now have access to DCF files on disputed bills.
About a month after joining a 67-county class-action lawsuit that opposes the state’s recent legislation forcing small governments to pay Medicaid charges whether or not they are in dispute, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement granting itself access to Department of Children and Family files.
The access makes “the back-process better” and “is really positive,” according to County Administrator Craig Coffey, who announced to the board last month that the new law would require Flagler to pay the state more than $330,000 in back-charges, and also increases future claims.
“There’s a whole new way (of doing things),” Coffey said. “This means that, hopefully, we’ll never run into these problems again.”
Increased data access means that staff will be able to more accurately verify whether an individual was a Flagler resident at the time of Medicaid treatment. If not, the county is not responsible for the Medicaid charge.
Before Sept. 15, the board will also choose between two payment options.
By agreeing to pay all claims (Option 1), the state will extend the county’s repayment period to five years and reduce its charges 15%. Disputing charges (Option 2) means large filing fees.
In the past, Coffey said, the county has paid Medicaid charges from the general fund. Going forward, it hopes to pay them from sales tax.
County to ‘piggyback’ off Palm Coast Waste Pro deal
The County Commission approved an agreement with Waste Pro Inc. Monday, May 21, piggybacking off Palm Coast’s residential solid waste collection and disposal contract.
“Palm Coast did a good job,” Coffey said of the city’s contract with the garbage firm. “It doesn’t make sense for us to do a different contract. … It’s economy of scale.”
Under contract with Waste Pro since 2007, unincorporated Flagler’s current collection fee will drop to $18.47 monthly ($2.33 less than it is currently), effective June 2013.
Beverly Beach wastewater: $3.5 million contract
What Coffey calls “a long-awaited project for the town of Beverly Beach,” wastewater improvements were contracted May 21 to Wharton Smith of Sanford, for the bid price of $3.5 million, plus a $177,100 contingency fee.
The company submitted the lowest of six bids. Improvements are expected in 18 months.
