County budget workshop spotlights reserves, fleet replacement and $79M CIP backlog

Flagler County staff used the June 1 workshop to review proposed FY27 capital and non‑general fund budgets, emphasizing the county’s $79 million backlog of unfunded construction projects and the creation of a rolling stock replacement fund to move away from the prior vehicle‑lease model.

Finance staff said the county budgets roughly $2 million a year from the general fund for capital investments and that many of the special funds are restricted, limiting the ability to sweep balances into a single pool. Staff described efforts to formalize a fleet replacement plan (fund 1503) that will begin vehicle purchases in FY27, and an IT replacement fund that stages purchases for enterprise‑level equipment rather than surprising the operating budget with large, one‑time purchases.

Commissioners and members of the public asked for clearer year‑to‑date and prior‑year actuals to compare to budgeted amounts, and some asked for a countywide integrated cash‑flow model that would pull together reimbursements and project draws to better evaluate large capital calls such as Reach 2 beach work. Finance reiterated that many grant funds are reimbursement based and that timing of reimbursements affects operating cash; the county continues to pursue advance or accelerated payments where possible.

Staff said next steps include presenting constitutional budgets and holding a June 15 workshop on the general‑fund divisions; commissioners requested additional detail about reserves and how restricted funds can or cannot be used for major projects.

What happens next: staff will produce fund‑level carryforward figures, a clearer reserve schedule for the board and the public, and will provide budget materials and backup for the June 15 meeting.