- April 24, 2024
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The Flagler Airport now has one empty building — the Ginn hangar — after Enterprise Rent-A-Car relocated.
The Flagler County Airport was “picked up” by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, as the national car-rental company relocated on the airport grounds to fill one of the empty buildings.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 5 unanimously approved the relocation of Enterprise from its old 300-square-foot building to the former Cakes Across America building, which is 3,000 square feet.
County Administrator Craig Coffey said there’s also the chance for subleases, allowing the county to collect even more money. Coffey added that that’s good news, and with this project, it seems, “people don’t tell the positive side of the story.”
“People have the misperception that property taxes are footing the bill to the airport,” Coffey said. “This has never been the case. It’s part of an enterprise fund, and the revenues from fuel sales and rent pay any outstanding amounts owed on the building.”
Cakes Across America was approved in March 2006 to move to a building at the Flagler County Airport, located behind the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates building. The building was funded by a Small Community Development Block Grant worth $513,900, awarded to the county by the Department of Community Affairs. The county contributed $140,000 in construction costs.
At the time, Cakes Across America agreed to produce 23 full-time jobs and bake the cakes on-site, though neither happened, Coffey said.
Two months ago, the company turned its keys in to the county after producing only five jobs. Cakes was paying $3,000 in rent to the county, and Enterprise will pay $4,000 in rent.
Coffey pointed out that there’s one empty building at the airport now, and the county is actively working on leasing it.
County approves Sheriff’s Office plan for mobile surveillance
With manpower down because of a slowed economy, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will turn to a mobile trailer to help reduce crime.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 5 unanimously approved a $13,415 purchase from the law enforcement trust funds, to match a federal grant of $9,585, to purchase a mobile surveillance trailer.
The trailer, which will cost $23,000, gives the Sheriff’s Office the ability to monitor the county, including numerous problematic parks.
“It’s self-contained. It’s powered by the sun,” said Maj. Steve Clair, director of the patrol division for the Sheriff’s Office.
Clair said deputies could be doing work on their laptops in their cars miles away and be able to keep an eye on the area where the trailer is located.
Additionally, the camera can zoom in on a person of interest and automatically follow that person while in view of the trailer.
Clair suggested that just having the trailer at a park could deter criminals.
BUY LOCAL
County to contract with tax collector for ambulance billing
The “Buy It in Flagler County” mantra continues to make a presence.
County Commissioners on Jan. 5 unanimously approved a switch in billing to the Flagler County Tax Collector.
Suzanne Johnston will take over the billing from McKesson, a national health care service and product provider.
The County Commission agreed Nov. 15 to make the switch, which is intended to cut costs.
The interlocal agreement will take effect March 1, and the county will provide Johnston’s office with $60,000 for startup costs for equipment, including computers, desks, billing software, filing systems and related salaries and benefits.
County Administrator Craig Coffey said the savings could allow the county to break even or possibly better in the first year, saving between $40,000 and $100,000.
Coffey said Johnston will hire two people.
