- May 3, 2024
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The County Commission agreed to accept Strickland Road/Durrance Lane, as well as open an EMT training center.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners accepted the property of Strickland Road/Durrance Lane, a 3.25-mile private roadway currently owned by Tomoka Holdings LLC., at its Jan. 17 workshop.
The roadway, two miles of which are built in county territory (the rest is in Volusia County), is currently home to 78 property owners. The stretch is also more or less isolated from all other county roads.
But according to County Administrator Craig Coffey, although it’s isolated, it’s not “not completely out of the ordinary for our road system.”
After some debate, Commission Chairwoman Barbara Revels stated her support for the taking ownership of the road, and most of the board agreed — except for Alan Peterson. He wanted assurances that the area’s residents — and not the rest of the county — would be responsible for any improvements and upgrades.
“With this economic climate, the benefit (of any improvement) should be paid by those who are getting the benefit,” he said. “To accept it all and charge the other cities isn’t fair.”
A motion to accept the road passed 4-1, with Peterson opposed. It was the third workshop in which the lane was discussed. Staff will return to the board later to discuss maintenance funding options.
Training center approved
Through a rental-space agreement, the County Commission agreed to lease its facilities to trainers of third-party firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, who will return 10% of their registration fees to Flagler.
“From there, we can bring in other classes,” Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito said, adding that he’d like to work with schools to offer college programs, as well.
“(And) that will create a pool of candidates, local candidates, to hire in the county and in Flagler Beach,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said.
The county will offer space at the Emergency Operations Center, spare equipment and vehicles for use in the training center, but the trainer will take care of everything else: scheduling, advertising, etc.
“The company that comes in, they’re going to have all the liabilities,” Petito said.
The classes would also be open for students not currently affiliated with a government agency.
“If we do it in-house, we benefit our people, and if we do it for outsiders, we can charge them,” Commissioner George Hanns said, in support.
“Any time we can find an additional revenue source, I’m in favor of it,” Commissioner Milissa Holland added.
Staff will bring a formal contract to the board at a later date.
