- March 10, 2025
Palm Coast City Councilman Bill McGuire is safe and sound at home after a hospital stay, following a stroke. He spoke on the phone Saturday, Dec. 22, to confirm that he had a problem with a change in medication, but now he is "doing fine."
McGuire said the biggest issue facing the City Council immediately is the stormwater fee. The council recently increased the user rate for stormwater from $8 per month to $11.65, but he said that was a "stop gap measure" until an equitable solution can be found for all.
He said he is also closely watching the "fiscal cliff" discussions at the federal level because they could have a big impact on the Palm Coast government.
"The city already has a solid finanicial position, but I’m anxious to see what knd of trickle down effect might take place with regard to the 'fiscal cliff,'" he said. "A lot of the projects that the city gets involved in are jointly funded by the (Florida Department of Transportation) and the city of Palm Coast, when it comes to widening roads, putting in pathways. A lot of that money doesn’t exclusively come out of the city of Palm Coast tax base."
He continued: "If the federal government goes on a severe austerity program, and doesn’t channel money into local projects such as road building, we’ll have to take a long look at how we’re going to fund things that the citizens want to see, with things like sidewalks at Seminole Woods and more lighting for public safety."
The actions in Washington, D.C., could have "a profound effect" on Palm Coast, with projects having to be "scaled way down," he said.
But whatever the results, McGuire said he is healthy and ready to take on the challenges. "I'm back home, on the job," he said.
