- December 4, 2025
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly is working on an ordinance that would restrict some uses of e-bikes in Palm Coast.
Staly said the ordinance is not aimed to “kill the fun of an e-bike,” or to restrict it for people who may be disabled or use it to get to work. Instead it will address those that are driving recklessly.
Staly said since the Florida law was loosened by the legislature "e-bikes have become somewhat out of control.”
“It's not ready for prime time yet, but I would ask that you [the Palm Coast City Council] encourage it, because we need to get ahead of it now,” he said.
The announcement came during a budget presentation with the Palm Coast City Council on July 22. While the ordinance is not finished, Staly said, the FCSO general counsel is working on a draft of it with Palm Coast’s attorney.
Florida State Statutes classify e-bikes like regular bicycles and allow them to be used wherever bicycles are. Florida law also requires riders under 16 to wear helmets and follow traffic laws.
The proposed ordinance, Staly said, would not allow e-bikes on sidewalks, though they would still be allowed on bike paths. FCSO deputies recently arrested two teens for driving their modified e-bikes recklessly.
Staly said that e-bikes do serve a purpose and the ordinance is meant to address those driving them recklessly.
“I’m not trying to kill e-bikes,” he said. “[The ordinance] is for those that are driving recklessly without regard to the bicycle laws. Really what I’m looking for is a tool in the toolbox for my deputies.”
To accommodate cost of living and health care adjustments and to fund nine new deputies, Palm Coast’s contract with the FCSO is increasing to $11.3 million for the fiscal year 2026 budget from the adopted $8.9 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget. That is a 26.5% increase.
The increase in deputies is the second year of a three-year initiative to increase the number of deputies serving Flagler County and its municipalities. The additional deputies address a deficit of FCSO deputies needed to service Palm Coast and Flagler County.
Staly said there were 13 years between 2002 and 2025 where the previous Palm Coast City Councils did not add any additional deputies. Palm Coast has added new deputies for the last four consecutive years.
“You’re paying a little bit for the sins of the past,” Staly said.
Mayor Mike Norris asked Staly to address concerns some residents have that the county and Palm Coast are ‘double dipping’ by having Palm Coast residents pay the county tax for law enforcement and Palm Coast pay its own contract.
Staly said that it is not a double taxation because Palm Coast, years ago, decided it wanted a higher level of service than what the standard level of service set by the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners at the time.
During public comment, resident Mark Webb said the FCSO provides “phenomenal” service but suggested the FCSO educate Palm Coast residents on what the enhanced level of service is.
“I think where the sheriff's department is failing, and it's not their fault, is informing the public, especially Palm Coast, of what that is,” Webb said.
Staly said that without Palm Coast’s contract, there would be “a reduction of 67 deputy sheriffs.” That includes, he said, 50 deputy sheriffs, the Town Center deputy, a school resource deputy, the additional deputies in the 2026 budget, two deputy corporals, three deputy sheriff sergeants and one commander.
“That’s what your enhanced service pays for,” Staly said. “That would gut the service to the city of Palm Coast.”
If Palm Coast wanted to start its own police department, Staly said, to get started the city would need a building for it and to purchase equipment and fleet vehicles in advance as well. Liability would also increase.
“You're looking at a significant investment,” he said.
