PALM COAST — Keeping the city’s quality of life at a high level while preparing for fast-approaching growth was a big part of the City Council’s “retreat” meeting May 4.
Approximately 25 people, including the five City Council members and several senior staff and department heads, gathered at the Southern Rec Center on Belle Terre Parkway for the entire morning.
Officials discussed the city’s current state, from the board’s most significant decisions over the last year to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the remainder of 2026.
City Manager Michael McGlothlin and Interim Deputy City Manager Kyle Berryhill each led several of the group discussions.
Palm Coast City manager gives overview of recent board decisions
McGlothlin began with a brief review of the board’s most important decisions in the last year concerning ongoing infrastructure projects, as well as a look at the city’s “economic vitality.”
Projects mentioned included roadway improvements on Whiteview Parkway (pedestrian safety, street light enhancements, traffic safety, stormwater enhancements); Belle Terre Parkway (improvements along seven intersections); and Palm Coast Parkway (milling and resurfacing from U.S. Highway 1 to the Hammock Dunes bridge).
The city manager also highlighted ongoing utilities projects, such as drainage improvements on Colbert Lane and in the K section as well as the expansion of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 facility.
McGlothlin also said the $283-million utilities bond the board adopted at the end of 2025 will be a crucial part of the infrastructure efforts over the next few years.
Other ongoing efforts include the Maintenance Operations Complex, a brand-new facility that will serve as a hub for several city departments, including the Public Works, Stormwater, and Utility departments. It will house a majority of the city’s fleet vehicles, maintenance equipment and more, according to the city.
What are the threats, opportunities for Palm Coast’s future?
McGlothlin then conducted an SWOT exercise, in which officials discussed the city’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats facing Palm Coast.
Weaknesses included the city’s heavy reliance on residential tax revenues; lack of available low-cost low-cost housing; lack of career opportunities for young workers; aging infrastructure and more.
The city identified some of its strengths as fiscal responsibility; recreation and amenities availability; public safety; an “engaged community;” and more.
Among the main opportunities for the city, officials pointed to the availability of land for development and growth; Palm Coast’s westward expansion; more collaboration with state and federal agencies and others.
Officials said the city is facing threats which include “fear of growth;” environmental weather threats; home-rule erosion; lack of clear-cut future priorities; inflation and more.
‘Following through’ on plans, keeping infrastructure updated
Berryhill asked the five City Council members to list a few strategic priorities for the remainder of the year.
Councilman Charles Gambaro Jr. said the upcoming budget must focus on the board’s priorities, including infrastructure decisions.
He also said getting as much of the planning done for the westward expansion is something he would like to do before leaving the board at the end of the year. Gambaro is running in the 6th Congressional District race.
Councilman Ty Miller agreed, emphasizing the need to follow through on infrastructure plans once they’re set.
“We’ll always need to be upgrading,” he said. “So we need to be ready.”
He also said taking advantage of short-term economic development opportunities could also help fund the city’s future endeavors, which can often be an obstacle for projects to move forward.
Councilman Sullivan said the budget is one of the “big responsibilities that we have,” adding that allocating the funding available to the most pressing efforts will be a key part of the process.
He also encouraged that the city continue fighting to maintain its home rule.
”We need to maintain as much as local control as possible,” he said, criticizing the “threats” from state legislature “to take away our ability to make decisions.”
Palm Coast mayor, vice mayor talk property tax rates, westward expansion
Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri said she would like to see the city adopt a “mentality” of reducing property taxes on residents by adopting a rolled-back tax rate.
“Whether or not we actually get to roll back is yet to be seen,” Pontieri said. “I will not sacrifice vital infrastructure in the interest of a headline that (says) we reached a roll back. But I would like us to have the mentality that we are going to strive for full roll back.”
She also said that amending the city’s land development code can be helpful in addressing the growing housing demands, and that completing the westward expansion, bringing “compatible” developments alongside upgraded infrastructure, is also a priority.
Mayor Mike Norris emphasized the need to revitalize the city’s infrastructure while keeping taxpayers in mind.
“We’re doing it,” the mayor said. “It’s just costing our residents a lot of money.”
Holding the highest standard when it comes to the developments involved in the westward expansion will be an important part of the process, he said, “because I don’t want to put any more of that burden on our residents.”
Norris said the city needs to continue empowering the development of Town Center through the recently re-worked CRA program, and he praised the public safety service proved by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Palm Coast council talks infrastructure, warns taxpayers will take hit
Reporting by Brenno Carillo, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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