Our independent analysis — filed with the CFO on March 3rd, confirmed 23 days later.
March 3, 2026: We emailed this complete analysis to CFO Ingoglia and his staff — five attachments, months of independent research.
March 26, 2026: The CFO held a press conference in Palm Coast and called Flagler County "the worst I have ever seen in the state of Florida."
In fiscal year 2015–16, Flagler County collected $55.6 million in property tax revenue across all funds. Over the next decade, the county's population grew by 31%, and inflation (CPI-U South) increased by 32%. Together, these factors justify a 73% increase in revenue.
Actual property tax revenue increased 153% — to $141 million. That's 2.09 times the justified rate.
WE FILED IT. HE CONFIRMED IT. BUT HE ONLY TOLD PART OF THE STORY. On March 3, 2026, we emailed CFO Ingoglia and his entire staff our complete analysis — five attachments, months of research. On March 26, he held a press conference in Palm Coast and called Flagler County "the worst" in the state. His 5-year review found $59 million. Our 10-year analysis shows $200 million. He did not address the nearly $100 million in reserves, the proposed new taxes on residents, or the statutory compliance questions we raised. We provided the full picture. The press conference only covered a fraction of it.
The county now holds nearly $100 million in reserves — up from $40 million a decade ago. The largest single reserve — $34.5 million labeled "Designated for Future Use" — has no project attached, no drawdown trigger, and grows automatically each year. Meanwhile, the county has proposed a brand new special assessment tax (MSBU) on barrier island residents for beach renourishment — asking taxpayers to pay even more while sitting on these reserves.
They overtaxed us by $200 million. They hoarded nearly $100 million. They let the beaches erode. And then they asked us to pay more.
All data comes from the county's own published budget documents: population from Budget Page 80 (BEBR/Census), CPI from Budget Page 95 (BLS South Region), property tax from each year's adopted budget.
Download the Full Budget Analysis (Excel) →
All source data from county's own budget documents · Every formula visible · Check our math.
The only coastal county in Florida without a plan.
Flagler County's 18-mile shoreline requires approximately $12 million per year for sand nourishment, dune restoration, and maintenance. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a 50-year agreement for Flagler Beach — but continuing requires a local cost match. Without sustained local funding, the federal partnership dies.
While sitting on nearly $100 million in reserves, the county has proposed new taxes to fund this: a half-cent sales tax (stalled) and a special assessment (MSBU) on barrier island residents. The special assessment singles out approximately 10% of the population — who already contribute 30% of county property tax revenue — to pay for an asset the entire county uses. Cell tower data shows 4 out of 5 beach visitors come from Palm Coast, not the barrier island.
The county collected $200 million in excess taxes. They're sitting on $98 million in reserves. And their solution is to tax us more. Beach management costs $12 million per year — that's less than 27% of what the county over-collects in a single year.
Florida House Bill 1297, currently moving through the Legislature, would authorize the state to require coastal local governments to develop funded beach management plans. Flagler County needs to get ahead of this law — not be dragged into compliance after it passes.
A clear, escalating plan that prioritizes fiscal responsibility.
Where do your elected officials stand on fiscal transparency and beach protection?
We've asked every elected official and major candidate at the local and state level three simple questions: (1) Do you support funding Flagler County beach management from existing revenue? (2) Do you support an independent FAFO audit of Flagler County? (3) Do you support a legislative study of dedicated barrier island governance? Their answers — or silence — are recorded here.
Legend
Flagler County Commission
Palm Coast City Council
Flagler Beach City Commission
Spradley and Santore elected March 2026
Bunnell City Commission
Flagler County School Board
State Legislature — Flagler County Delegation
Florida Statewide Officials
2026 Governor's Race — Major Candidates
This scorecard will be updated as officials and candidates respond. If your elected representative hasn't taken a position, ask them why. Contact information for all offices is available through the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections.
Last updated: March 2026. Are you an elected official or candidate who wants to go on record? Contact us at [email protected].
A homeschool mom who did her homework.
Jennifer Herold is a native Floridian, homeschool educator, and taxpayer advocate living in The Hammock on Flagler County's barrier island. She holds a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Toledo and a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University.
After a successful career in occupational therapy — specializing in pediatric and mental health settings — Jen made the decision to leave her practice and devote herself full-time to homeschooling her three children. She is a passionate special needs advocate, drawing on both her clinical expertise and her personal experience as a parent. She believes every family deserves the freedom to make the educational choices that are best for their children.
Jen was among the first in Ohio to endorse President Donald Trump during the 2016 primary and was an early Trump endorsee — supporting him while the state's own governor was still in the race.
In November 2025, Jen launched the Trump County initiative — a proposal to create Florida's 68th county from barrier island communities. In 2025-2026, she conducted an independent budget analysis revealing approximately $200 million in excess property tax collections over the past decade. She filed her findings with the Florida CFO and Attorney General. On March 26, 2026, the CFO confirmed her findings, calling Flagler County "the worst" he has seen in the state.
Jen is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and believes that government should be small enough, transparent enough, and accessible enough for any citizen to hold it accountable.
The Bigger Picture: Trump County
Three counties share 60 miles of barrier island coastline — and none of them manage it. We're proposing Florida's 68th county: a dedicated coastal government named for the President who proved government can be held accountable.
Learn About Trump County →Get updates on the audit, the county's response, and what happens next. No spam — just accountability.
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