PCO Welcome to the Neighborhood

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The best thing about Flagler County is ...

You have been planning this move to Flagler County for months, and now you’re finally here. You made it! Welcome to the neighborhood.

Now what?

You will need to visit some government offices to get yourself settled, and you will want to do some exploring of your new community. This guide is for you. In the pages that follow, you will find parks maps and a collection of QR codes to get you connected with key websites in the community. You’ll also see photos of your elected officials. These are your neighbors who set policy to shape our future. They want to hear from you! You can stay up to date

with all the local news at www.observerlocalnews. com, or find the Observer every Thursday on newsstands — for free. You can also get the newspaper delivered to your driveway for $1 per week, at observerlocal news.com/subscribe.

As you get to know your way around, we hope you meet some friendly faces. And for those of you who are reading this and have lived in Flagler County for a few years — or a few decades — you probably feel proud of the local institutions, his-

tory and parks. Now is your time to connect with that new neighbor down the road who has been on your mind. This is the perfect excuse to introduce yourself and say, “I got this Welcome to the Neighborhood section in the Observer, but it’s really for you.”

Population growth is a controversial issue in Florida, but being a good neighbor shouldn’t be. To me, the best thing about this community is the neighbors. Email brian@observer localnews.com.

The Community Chorus of Palm Coast (CCPC) is a group of more than 50 talented vocalists who find joy in singing together under the direction of a professional conductor and accompanist. Their free concerts bring our community together by featuring a wide variety of musical genres, offering singers an opportunity to learn new techniques and styles.

“The Community Chorus of Palm Coast strives to build a tradition of community pride through choral excellence by providing performances that enrich, educate and entertain singers and audiences. Performances include sacred and secular music of diverse cultural and musical styles.”

The Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center at Flagler Auditorium is located at 5500 E. Highway 100 in Palm Coast. Under the leadership of Amelia Fulmer, the Fitzgerald hosts a variety of arts and culture programs, including Broadway shows, symphonic band concerts and family theater. A nonprofit organization and a teaching theatre, the Fitzgerald’s mission is to inspire educational and cultural experiences. Hungry? Here’s a listing of local restaurants.

The Flagler Playhouse is located at 301 E. Moody

Playhouse, a nonprofit, was incorporated in 1978 and is under the direction of President Jerri Berry.

The CCPC performs four regular concerts per year: 2026 SPRING CONCERTS

April 17 at 7 p.m. & April 19 at 4 p.m A special concert on July 4th at 1 p.m. 2026 HOLIDAY CONCERTS December 4 at 7 p.m. & December 6 at 4 p.m.

They also perform for the Flagler County’s Veteran’s Day celebrations. Membership is open to anyone sixteen years of age or older. Members must demonstrate a desire to sing in a community-based chorus and must have the ability to sing the program’s repertoire.

The group has Monday evening rehearsals from 6 - 8 p.m. Rehearsals & concerts are held at Trinity Presbyterian Church 156 Florida Park Dr. N, Palm Coast Anyone interested in learning more should visit our website at www.communitychorusofpalmcoast.com or e-mail us at Communitychorusofpalmcoast@gmail.com

Palm Coast City Council

Mayor Mike Norris mnorris@palmcoastgov.com

David Sullivan, District 3 dsullivan@palmcoastgov.com

The Palm Coast mayor and City Council members are elected at large, for a fouryear term. They may serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same seat. Meetings are held in the Community Wing at City Hall, located at 160 Lake Ave., on the first

Ty Miller, District 1 tmiller@palmcoastgov.com

Charles Gambaro, District 4 cgambaro@palmcoastgov.com

four Tuesdays of the month:

„ First Tuesday: 6 p.m. meeting

„ Second Tuesday: 6 p.m. workshop

„ Third Tuesday: 9 a.m. meeting „ Fourth Tuesday: 9 a.m. workshop

Theresa Carli Pontieri, District 2. tcarlipontieri@ palmcoastgov.com

With a population of about 115,000, Palm Coast contains about 79% of Flagler County’s 145,000 population.

Flagler County Comission

Andy Dance, District 1, Chair adance@flaglercounty.gov

Greg Hansen, District 2 ghansen@flaglercounty.gov

The Board of County Commissioners is composed of five elected officials. Each of them represent one county district, but they are elected at-large. Commissioners serve four year terms, and elections are staggered. District 1, 2 and 3 are up for election in presidential election years, and Districts 2 and 4 in mid-term election years. There are no

Kim Carney, District 3 kcarney@flaglercounty.gov

term limits.

Every year, the commissioners choose a new chair among themselves to act as the official representative of the board and lead meetings.

Clerk: Tom Bexley tbexley@flaglerclerk.com flaglerclerk.gov

Property Appraiser: James Gardner Jr. pa@flaglerpa.com flaglerpa.com

Flagler County Sheriff: Rick Staly Sheriff@flaglersheriff.com flaglersheriff.com

Tax collector: Shelly Edmonson sedmonson@flaglertax.gov www.flaglertax.gov

Supervisor of Elections: Kaiti Lenhart klenhart@flaglerelections.gov flaglerelections.gov

Leanne Pennington, District 4 lpennington@flaglercounty.gov

Leanne Pennington is the chair for 2026. The County Commission meets twice a month: On the first Monday at 9 a.m. and on the third Monday at 5 p.m.

Pam Richardson, District 5 prichardson@flaglercounty.gov

Board chambers are located in the Flagler County Government Services Building 2, at 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell.

Flagler School Board

E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell.

Agenda Workshops are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m.

Information Workshops are scheduled for the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. BOARD VACANCY

The District 1 seat on the School Board is currently vacant. The previous representative resigned in September 2024, and the governor’s appointee resigned a year later to accept a federal transportation post.

Flagler Beach City Commission

Patti King, mayor: pking@cityofflaglerbeach. com

FLAGLER BEACH CITY SITE

The Flagler Beach City Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of themonth at 5:30 p.m. at the City Commission Chamber at City Hall, 105 S. 2nd St. The commission is made up of five commissioners and

James Sherman, Commissioner: jsherman@ cityofflaglerbeach.com

BEACH INFORMATION

one mayor, all elected at-large for a three-year term. Unlike in other city commissions, the Flagler Beach mayor does not have a vote — he or she may engage in discussion, but the mayor’s position is ceremonial. However, the mayor

John Cunningham, Commissioner: jcunningham@ cityofflaglerbeach.com

CITY PROJECT UPDATES

does have the power to veto an ordinance or resolution. If the commission wishes to override the mayor’s veto, at least four commissioners must be in agreement at the next meeting.

Rick Belhumeur, Commissioner: rbelhumeur@ cityofflaglerbeach.com

Over 100 years old, Flagler Beach has a population of about 5,500

Eric Cooley, Commissioner: ecooley@cityofflagler beach.com

Scott Spradley, Commissioner: sspradley@ cityofflaglerbeach.com

Bunnell City Commission

Catherine Robinson, Mayor: crobinson@ bunnellcity.us

John R. Rogers, Vice Mayor: jrogers@ bunnellcity.us

David Atkinson, Commissioner: datkinson@ bunnellcity.us

The county seat, Bunnell has a population of about 4,500.

Dean Sechrist, Commissioner: dsechrist@ bunnellcity.us

Pete Young, Commissioner: pyoung@ bunnellcity.us

FESTIVALS IN FLAGLER COUNTY

Looking for something to do in town? Here’s a list of some of the upcoming festivals in Flagler County with dates that have already been scheduled. Every year, community organizations host different kinds of festivities — from celebrat-

ing turtles at the annual Turtle Fest in the spring to surfing competitions in Flagler Beach and aviation spectacles like Warbirds Over Flagler at the airport. Stay tuned for those dates!

FEB. 7-8

CREEKSIDE FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Princess Place, 2500 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast

Details: The festival will feature over 80 vendors, a petting zoo, a kid’s zone with bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, a Sheriff vs. Firefighters chili cook-off (noon Saturday) and The Soc-

cer Collies. Tickets cost $10 for adults; kids 12 and under are free.

FEB. 21-22

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast

Details: Enjoy fresh strawberries and family activities. There will be arts and crafts vendors, a free cirque show, bounce houses, an axe throwing tournament, classic cars, live entertainment, a free petting farm, “Berry Cute Baby” contest, sack races and more. Admission costs $7. Cash only. Kids 2 and under are free. For $1 off admission, bring a canned good to benefit a local food pantry, or download a coupon off the festival website. Visit palmcoastfest.com.

FEB. 28 TO MARCH 1

11TH ANNUAL FLAGLER COUNTY NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Princess Place Preserve, 2500 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast

Details: Celebrate Native American history at this festival featuring traditional dances, trading booths, wildlife exhibits, children’s activities, arts and craft and more. General admission costs $10. Veterans and children 5-12 years old are $5. Kids under 5 are free. For more information, call 386-451-9892.

APRIL 13-17

FLAGLER COUNTY FAIR AND YOUTH SHOW

When: hours vary

Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell

Details: Attend this annual exposition presented by 4-H and FFA Livestock. Free ad-

mission. The pullet and rabbit show will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 13. The Livestock check-in is 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. The wether, heifer and steer show is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. The swine show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16. The opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 17, followed by the auction. Visit www.flaglercountyfair. com.

APRIL 22-26

PALM COAST

SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

When: Varies

Where: Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater, 3000 Palm Coast Pkwy SE, Palm Coast

Details: The eighth annual Palm Coast Songwriters Festival will showcase more than 45 songwriters at the Daytona State Collehe Palm Coast Amphitheater and other local venues during this four day event. There will be a free preview show from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at The

SATURDAY, JULY 4

UNITED FLAGLER FOURTH

When: TBA Where: varies

Details: Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America during this annual event held jointly by Flagler County and the cities of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell. Visit unitedflagler4th.com.