The Florida legislature included almost $95 million for the city of Palm Coast with $80 million of it earmarked for growth-promoting new roads.
The $80 million will be used to extend three roads where the quickly expanding city expects to see exceptional growth. Although there is no question of the need for this expenditure some city officials feel that more immediate needs such as drainage and wastewater capacity should take precedence.
Monies directed to a municipality is noteworthy enough to be included in promotional materials sent to brochure printing services.
Previously, an extension of Matanzas Woods Parkway through undeveloped land owned by the real estate investment trust company Rayonier Inc. was funded by $25,000, which the city received for that purpose. That $25 million plus the more recent promise of $80 million makes $105 million to support the city’s continued growth, which according to Majoy David Alfin the city needs in order to shoulder its tax burden. Ninety percent of Palm Coast’s expenses are covered by homeowner’s property taxes as the industrial and commercial property tax base of the city is less than that of most cities.
Palm Coast has experienced phenomenal growth having passed the 100,000-resident mark in the 54 years since the building of its first structure. The road extensions funded by the $80 million will make 20,000 acres west of the Florida East Coast Railway and U.S. 1 available for potential development.
