- January 27, 2026
As Flagler County is beginning its budgeting process for the next fiscal year, multiple Capital Improvement Projects are planned for The Hammock.
But the county could see difficulty funding projects on its CIP list. Anticipated CIP projects between 2027 and 2031 are estimated to cost the county $2 million a year, according to a county presentation on Jan. 12, and unfunded CIP projects would, combined, need $77 million.
Beyond that, County Administrator Heidi Petito said, the county is also bracing for the state to potentially remove property tax revenue, which is the source of the majority of the county’s funding. If the state legislature approves the measure, that would then go to the voters to approve.
“These measures could remove more than $60 million from the county's tax base and limit our ability to keep pace with service demands,” Petito said. “Any major reduction in property tax revenue would require difficult decisions about service levels, capital projects, long-term financial planning.”
County Commissioner Greg Hansen said in the meeting that something would need to replace property taxes if they go away.
“I worry that the voter is gonna say,’ Oh, no more property tax,’ when we're gonna replace it with something else,” Hansen said. “To get enough money to run the county, we're gonna have to.”
Until a decision is made by the state, Flagler County will move forward with its budgeting process for the 2027 fiscal year. Some CIP projects are already in the works in Flagler County, though others only have funding secured through the design phase or require local matches to qualify for a grant or state funding.
The majority of CIP projects in The Hammock fall under stormwater or trails and parks improvements, most still in the design phase. Here are a list of the projects in the work in The Hammock:
Malacompra Canal Restoration and Resilience: The design is 30% completed, with a funded budget of $495,000. Design is estimated to be completed by July. Construction to improve the 4,100 feet of the canal is currently unfunded. The project includes widening the canal and replacing the box culvert. The project will be phased and is estimated to cost $12.4 million.
First Avenue Drainage Improvements: Design is 90% completed and will be finished by February. This project spans from Malacompra Road to the north end of First Avenue and will regrade the roadside to improve drainage. Design is fully funded, and $500,000 is budgeted for the construction phase.
Park parking and bathrooms: Both the River to Sea Preserve and Malacompra Park will have new restrooms built on site, as well as additional beach access parking, which will help the county meet beach renourishment funding requirements. The Malacompra Park will also include the installation of a disc golf course. The projects are funded with money from impact fees ($175,000) and the beachfront parks fund ($275,000), respectively.
Bing’s Landing Master Plan improvements: The master plan is 75% complete, and is just awaiting details on the new restaurant and the Malacompra Canal Expansion. Some $500,000 is budgeted for this from impact fees and boat vessel registrations. The county also received a grant that increased the budget to $952,000. Improvements include dredging, an archaeological component and passive recreation activities.
Jungle Hut Road Resurfacing: In the design phase, which will conclude in February. Construction funding is to be decided, but is anticipated to be funded 75% by the Florida Department of Transportation with a 25% local match.
Other county-wide projects include several road resurfacing projects on the west side, the continued design of Bulow Creek Headwaters Regional Park, two new fire stations that are under construction now, the construction of the multipurpose emergency preparedness facility at the Flagler County Fairgrounds which is estimated to finish in June, the new Bull Creek restaurant, and more.
The beach maintenance program also remains unfunded and, Petito said, to qualify for state funding, the county will need to provide a local match of 25%, per a state law.
