A packed crowd attends the 16th annual Meet the Mayors event hosted by the Flagler County Association of REALTORS on Wednesday in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll.
From left, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris, Beverly Beach Mayor Stephen Emmett, Flagler County Commission Chair Leann Pennington, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson, Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly participate in the 16th annual Meet the Mayors event hosted by the Flagler County Association of REALTORS. Photo by Rich Carroll.
From left, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris, Beverly Beach Mayor Stephen Emmett, Flagler County Commission Chair Leann Pennington and Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson participate in the 16th annual Meet the Mayors event hosted by the Flagler County Association of REALTORS. Photo by Rich Carroll.
From left, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris, Beverly Beach Mayor Stephen Emmett, Flagler County Commission Chair Leann Pennington, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson, Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly participate in the 16th annual Meet the Mayors event hosted by the Flagler County Association of REALTORS. Photo by Rich Carroll.
Local leaders from across Flagler County gathered Wednesday for the 16th annual “Meet the Mayors” event hosted by the Flagler County Association of REALTORS, discussing growth, infrastructure, public safety and the future of the community during a wide-ranging public forum.
Held at the FCAR building on East Moody Boulevard, the annual event featured Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris, Flagler County Commission Chair Leann Pennington, Beverly Beach Mayor Stephen Emmett, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson, Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions directly to local leaders about issues impacting Flagler County communities.
During opening remarks, Norris said Palm Coast’s biggest challenges remain infrastructure and job creation as the city continues to experience rapid growth.
“We started out as a retirement community, but we are no longer a retirement community,” Norris said. “We have to step up and do the right things for our citizens.”
Norris said the city should focus on attracting clean industry and higher paying jobs, including aerospace and technology related businesses.
“What I would like to see is more space industry related jobs, clean industry,” Norris said. “Anything manufacturing that can put people to work.”
Pennington highlighted several county priorities, including beach renourishment projects, environmental conservation efforts and preserving the historic Old Brick Road corridor amid future westward expansion.
Robinson discussed several projects underway in Bunnell, including upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant and the completion of the Flagler Central Commerce Parkway.
“We completed our administrative building and our police department and moved in last year,” Robinson said. “We also completed the Flagler Central Commerce Parkway.”
Martin updated attendees on the reconstruction of the Flagler Beach pier, saying the project remains on schedule and on budget with substantial completion expected early next year. He also discussed a proposed mobility plan designed to improve pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety in Flagler Beach.
Staly said Flagler County has continued to see declining crime rates despite significant population growth.
“Crime’s down over 54% since 2017,” Staly said. “Safety sells, security sells.”
Audience questions covered a variety of topics, including E bikes, affordable housing, utility costs, transportation and emergency services staffing. Leaders from multiple municipalities discussed the financial challenges tied to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and maintaining competitive wages for police officers, firefighters and utility workers.
