The Flagler Beach City Commission last week approved a four percent pay raise for City Manager Dale Martin. Having gathered for a continuation of the meeting from November 13th, the Commission based their decision off of Martin’s most recent evaluations from each member.
When the pay raise takes effect, Martin’s salary will be increased from $165,000 to $171,620. This will be the first pay raise Martin has received since he was hired by the City Commission in July 2023.
Martin was evaluated by each of the commissioners over a period that began on October 1st, 2024 and ended on September 30th, 2025. Each commissioner was given the chance to rate his performance in several areas on a scale of 1 to 5. A 3 rating indicates Martin is on par with expectations, while a higher rating indicates exceeding those standards and a lower rating means he’s falling short.
Of the five commissioners, three had ratings indicating Martin at least met expectations. Scott Spradley’s overall rating even indicated that Martin exceeds expectations, saying he “is doing a very good job” and “is an excellent advocate for the City”. Rick Belhumeur rated Martin just below a 3, while John Cunningham left a sharply critical 1.35 score.
“A consistent pattern of poor management practices, lack of transparency, and limited accountability has undermined the trust of both city staff and the community,” Cunningham wrote. “Without significant corrective action and stronger leadership presence, continued performance at this level poses a risk to the city’s reputation, effectiveness, and long-term stability.”
Though Cunningham’s evaluation is scathing, it’s a major outlier among his colleagues. All four other commissioners and Mayor Patti King had more positive than negative to say about Martin. The odds of Cunningham’s dissatisfaction resulting in any action from the City Commission seems slim barring a major sea change in the board’s sentiments.
Dale Martin’s City Commission Evaluation Scores
- Commissioner Rick Belhumeur – 2.90
- Relationship with City Commission – 3.42
- Public Relations – 3.25
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 2.25
- Fiscal Management – 2.50
- Communication – 3.00
- Personal Traits – 3.40
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 3.25
- Commissioner Eric Cooley – 3.75
- Relationship with City Commission – 3.86
- Public Relations – 4.25
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 3.25
- Fiscal Management – 3.00
- Communication – 5.00
- Personal Traits – 4.20
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 3.25
- Commissioner John Cunningham – 1.35
- Relationship with City Commission – 2.00
- Public Relations – 2.00
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 1.00
- Fiscal Management – 1.00
- Communication – 1.00
- Personal Traits – 1.00
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 2.00
- Mayor Patti King – 3.37
- Relationship with City Commission – 3.29
- Public Relations – 3.00
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 3.50
- Fiscal Management – 3.25
- Communication – 3.50
- Personal Traits – 3.80
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 3.25
- Commissioner James Sherman – 3.61
- Relationship with City Commission – 3.14
- Public Relations – 3.50
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 3.00
- Fiscal Management – 4.00
- Communication – 4.50
- Personal Traits – 3.40
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 3.75
- Commissioner Scott Spradley – 4.04
- Relationship with City Commission – 4.14
- Public Relations – 4.25
- Effective Leadership of Staff – 4.00
- Fiscal Management – 3.25
- Communication – 4.50
- Personal Traits – 4.20
- Intergovernmental Affairs – 4.50
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
