Raised a charter interpretation argument that two council seats are unlawfully held, citing the provision that vacancy appointments last only until the next regularly scheduled election.
Also argued that three proposed charter amendments on the city website are flawed, including one similar to a 2024 ballot measure voters rejected.
Argued that Council Member Sullivan should step down and that Ray Stevens, who won the district three primary, should be sworn in, based on the charter's provision that appointees serve only until the next election.
Speaker said he lost to Stevens by two votes in a prior primary.
Alleged that council members gave identical rehearsed answers at a prior meeting when asked about calls from an attorney, questioned the legitimacy of two council members being seated, described receiving a trespass warning from a sheriff's deputy he attributed to Vice Mayor Pontieri after he drove down a residential street, and criticized the Vice Mayor for various policy positions including a franchise fee and a stadium proposal.
Raised concerns about the recently approved Town Center land purchase contract: the contract was not in the public meeting packet, a $1 million non-refundable escrow was paid, the seller can raise the price if closing deadlines are missed, there is no provision preventing the seller from buying the land back at a lower price in the future, and questioned whether city policies and procedures were followed and whether council members had read them.
Expressed concern about a report that Palm Coast intends to incorporate Espanola, asking what business benefits there would be for Espanola residents, noting he had paid fines in Palm Coast previously and that residents would be forced to connect to the city's water system.
Opposed what he called a westward expansion movement.
Finance Director Gwen Ragsdale and team presented the final proposed FY2027 budget across all appropriated funds.
The total budget of approximately $516 million reflects a 25% decrease from FY2026, primarily due to capital project timing.
The general fund is proposed at $70.7 million using the rollback millage rate of 4.1387.
Council debated funding additional sheriff's deputies, ultimately not adding them but reaching consensus to reduce city manager contingency by $200,000.
Staff was directed to proceed with an RFP for a line of credit up to $15 million to help fund the Town Center land acquisition, with scenario analysis requested for the September 9 public hearing.
The six residential collector roads were approved for FY2027 resurfacing.
Council requested staff research comparable Olympic pool costs and seek confirmation from the school district on YMCA pool participation.
Chief Deputy Strobridge presented a proposal to fund deputies starting at mid-year pending amendment three outcome.
Advocacy for retaining the $300,000 concrete skate park allocation in the proposed CIP budget, noting 725 online petition signatures and that the item had previously been removed from the CIP in prior years.
Advocacy for retaining the concrete skate park in the budget; speaker identified as a retired Navy veteran and lifelong skater whose family also skates, and said skating amenities were part of the reason his family moved to Palm Coast.
Asked whether the renaming of code enforcement to 'community compliance' reflects actual reform, and whether the department will shift from reactive to proactive and equitable enforcement citywide.
Speaker said he previously served on the code enforcement board and heard citizen complaints about inequitable treatment.
Criticized the proposed budget on multiple grounds: reducing reserves while not budgeting for disasters, missing historical actuals from the presentation, concerns about council compensation as waste, argued impact fees should be collected upfront, called fleet costs out of control, opposed reinstating the attorney's contract, suggested cutting upper management salaries across the board, and argued the rollback rate keeps taxes the same or higher on unrealized gains.
Also argued the utility bond violates charter provision 3E.
Raised concerns about misappropriation of funds, arguing utility fund revenues should only support utility costs and any excess should be returned to ratepayers to reduce fees.
Criticized purchasing practices, fleet management, and the utility rate study consultant.
Suggested using the state vehicle contract for fleet purchases and going back out to bid on the solid waste contract.
Raised the history of potable water bill surcharges for freshwater canal dredging and the inclusion of saltwater canal maintenance in past swale fee increases, arguing maintenance funding for saltwater canals has since disappeared.
Stated boats are grounding in canals, land erosion from improperly installed stone walls is ongoing, and nothing has been done despite meetings with the Vice Mayor and staff.
Questioned where dock-related tax assessments go and called for cutting assistant manager positions.
Requested council prioritize athletic field capacity in the parks and recreation budget, noting growing demand from youth sports programs and scheduling conflicts.
Proposed adding baseball, softball, and a multi-sport complex to the CIP, citing potential tournament revenue of $1.1 to $2.67 million annually.
Also asked council to modernize older neighborhood parks, specifically noting the aquatic center playground has not changed in over 25 years.
Raised two concerns: (1) a proposed commercial hauling ordinance that would require self-haulers exceeding 2 cubic yards to register as city franchisees, potentially affecting over 2,000 local businesses, with significant insurance, bonding, and audit requirements; (2) a permitting process issue where a building permit submitted under his contracting business was transferred to an owner-builder without proper notification, leaving his personal phone number and liability attached to the permit.
Requested the city rebid the solid waste trash pickup contract to potentially reduce costs for residents, particularly those on fixed incomes.
Also criticized the city's purchasing office for not using best practices in bid specifications and argued the utility rate CPI escalator provision is illegal.
Stated she looks forward to Ray Stevens being seated in his proper place as required by the charter following the recent election, and that the other vacancy should remain empty until the general election.
Told two unnamed council members she does not want to see them return.