- May 2, 2024
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With a new sheriff in town, Palm Coast officials on Tuesday voted to continue the current interlocal agreement on a month-to-month basis with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services in the city until a new contract is hammered out.
Those contract discussions will likely come before the City Council sometime in April or May, City Manager Jim Landon said after Tuesday’s meeting.
When the city incorporated in 1999, the City Council contracted with the Sheriff’s Office for services as opposed to starting its own police department. There were no startup costs, and the annual costs were cheaper.
Now, for about $2.6 million ($216,640.92 per month), the city gets specialized services, including a substation in town and a dedicated number of deputies patrolling Palm Coast roads and neighborhoods.
The current substation is located off Old Kings Road, but Sheriff Jim Manfre is planning to move it to City Marketplace — the same location as city offices. Manfre said the target date is May 1.
Eighteen road deputies, a lieutenant, sergeant and corporal, as well as a K-9 officer, are assigned to different sectors in Palm Coast 24 hours per day day on two shifts.
Manfre implemented the interlocal agreement in his first term as sheriff, when the city incorporated. On Wednesday, he said it continues to be a “great deal" for Palm Coast.
“I’m a taxpayer in the city of Palm Coast, and I will tell you from my perspective that we get a really good financial deal,” he said. “Having said that ... it only works from a return on investment perspective if we’re providing good services to the city, and I’d suggest that we’re providing good services to the city right now.”
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Netts said the city had three options: 1) Cancel the contract, which would likely result in a reduction of service; 2) Keep the contract; or 3) The city create its own police department.
While no members of the council appeared to be in favor of establishing a municipal police department, City Councilman Bill McGuire said there was a fourth option.
“The sheriff has demonstrated a propensity for cost reductions,” McGuire said. “The actions Mr. Manfre has taken since he has become sheriff indicates to me that he is looking for cost reductions, and I’m hoping that he is looking at our contract as well.”
Manfre said he has an excellent relationship with the City Council and staff, which should help during contract negotiations in the coming months. "It's very good communication," he said.
The City Council approved the contract on a month-to-month basis with a 4-0 vote. Jason DeLorenzo was absent.
