Flagler sheriff proposes dedicated tax to offset budget cuts

Law enforcement in Flagler County looking for a new way to pay the bills. It comes after Amendment 3 passed during the midterm elections and the sheriff is now proposing a dedicated funding source to keep deputies on patrol. Chris Lindsay explains. The sheriff tells me the people have spoken when it comes to Amendment 3 so this isn't a way to get around the exemptions but rather a way to soften the blow the department will take. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley has a plan to offset the loss of county funds, a loss that he says could lead to a long list of cuts at his department. Nothing is off the table. We're looking at everything property tax revenue helps fund several county services, including the sheriff's office. And because of the higher homestead exemptions, the sheriff's office is preparing for a roughly $15 million shortfall next year. That's why he's pushing for a property tax line item of his own. That money does not go into the general fund. It goes to its specific fund. Dedicated fund to pay for what it's being taxed for. So if it would be law enforcement, it'd be law enforcement. It's called an MSTU, or a municipal service taxing unit. The sheriff wants to make it mandatory. If a city does not have the police department, cuz somebody still has to answer those calls. In Flagler, that could include Palm Coast, Beverly Beach and Marineland. Now, if you live in those places, it won't automatically mean you have a higher property tax bill, as the county could lower its current property tax rate while creating a separate one dedicated to law enforcement to balance it out. Nothing has been approved just yet. In fact, current state law requires cities to sign off before the county can tax them this way. The sheriff wants that changed for cities without police, and the Flagler Commission agreed to help them draft up a policy. Reporting in Flagler County. County Chris Lindsey Fox 35 News.