- March 3, 2025
Officials have tentatively reached an agreement to deannex the Florida Agricultural Museum out of the city of Palm Coast and into unincorporated Flagler County.
About three years ago, the city entered into an agreement with the Ag Museum to provide grants for programs. That agreement expires this month, and city, county and state officials agree the museum will be better served under the county’s jurisdictions.
The city will finish out this year’s grant proposal, which has about $3,700 remaining out of $20,000.
Under the proposed budget, which will be finalized Sept. 18, there is no funding proposed for the museum for next year. The city has previously given as much as $70,000 per year to the museum.
And, although it’s not currently available, water and sewer services will be provided to the museum by the city at the normal out-of-city cost. The city would not pay for any of the connections or extensions.
City Manager Jim Landon said the deannexation of the museum simply means the county’s rules apply, and the county will take the lead role in helping the museum to expand. The museum will continue to be owned and operated by the Florida Agricultural Museum, which is a not-for-profit organization.
“I’ve been involved in the conversations, and it’s been nothing but positive and cooperative,” Landon said, adding that it makes sense for the county to focus on agriculture.
City OKs BAC funds
With plenty of work to be done and not enough people to do it, the city’s Business Assistance Center will soon hire a certified business analyst. The City Council on Tuesday agreed to hire Chris Altmansberger to assist Joe Roy, area manager for the center. No formal vote was taken because it was a workshop.
The Small Business Development Center secured additional funding from the state to hire Altmansberger, who will help Roy with marketing and customer service in the community. The SBDC has requested the city increase its annual funding by $8,000.
According to data provided by the city, the Business Assistance Center over the past two years has created or retained 149 jobs, helped start 35 businesses, and overseen $11.2 million in investements.
For every $1 invested in the Business Assistance Center, about $97 has been invested back into the city.
