- February 13, 2026
Concerns about leadership at City Hall took center stage during the Thursday, Feb. 12, Flagler Beach City Commission meeting, culminating in a motion from the floor to terminate City Manager Dale Martin.
During commissioner comments Thursday night, Commissioner Rick Belhumeur said, “I have some concerns about the direction that the city's going.”
As he spoke, Belhumeur handed out a packet to each commissioner outlining his complaints and supporting documentation. The materials, which he said were compiled through public records requests and communications, allege a pattern of policy violations and administrative misconduct.
One document titled “Policy Violations Report” alleges intentional departures from commission enacted policies in areas including hiring practices, compensation and benefits administration, procurement integrity and post-conduct misrepresentation. The document references potential statutory implications and cites categories such as official misconduct, abuse of public position and procurement fraud.
Another document titled “Improper Hiring and Nepotism – Project Manager Position” claims the hiring process for a project manager position involved procedural impropriety, favoritism and a conflict of interest. The document alleges the city failed to follow mandatory internal posting requirements and prematurely removed a job listing from public visibility.
During the Feb. 12 meeting, Belhumeur argued the commission has a responsibility to hold the city manager accountable and emphasized that “accountability” is at the top of a list he reviews weekly with Martin. He alleged that Martin does not hold staff accountable, criticized changes to the city’s organizational chart without commission approval and questioned hiring standards and internal personnel procedures.
Belhumeur also raised concerns about permitting related to the 22-unit Legacy Point development at the end of Leslie Street. He described what he said was a “site work only” permit issued outside typical building department procedures.
Belhumeur formally requested that the commission hold a workshop to review what he described as documented concerns in greater detail.
Commissioner Eric Cooley pushed back, saying the concerns needed to be clearly defined and properly noticed before the commission could take action.
“This strikes me as an agenda item request,” Cooley said.
He later added, “If we want to talk about city manager, we can talk about city manager, but that is it,” emphasizing that discussion should remain focused specifically on the city manager’s role.
The discussion intensified when Commissioner John Cunningham voiced agreement with concerns about management and made a motion “to terminate the city manager's contract with the city of Flagler Beach.”
City Attorney Drew Smith advised that such action could not be taken during commissioner comments and would need to return as a properly noticed agenda item. The motion did not proceed to a vote.
Speaking with the Observer after Thursday’s meeting, Martin said he looks forward to the conversation.
No formal action was taken. The matter is expected to return to the commission as a future agenda item for further discussion.
