The Flagler County government appears to be preparing for a $50,000 contribution to local food banks to help with the stoppage of SNAP benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown. County Commissioner Kim Carney appeared on a Flagler Broadcasting radio show Friday morning to announce the initiative, which is being carried out by County Administrator Heidi Petito.
Petito has the authority to spend up to $100,000 without receiving formal authorization from the Board of County Commissioners. According to Carney, she did still speak with each commissioner to determine that there was a consensus behind her, and she plans to seek approval to reimburse the $50,000 from the general fund reserves on November 17th.
The importance of Flagler residents having access to food benefits is critical. According to data from the Flagler Department of Health, 7.4% of the county’s residents are SNAP benefit recipients. That accounts for 11,447 total people.
The $50,000 being used is coming out of the county’s reserve funds. A total of $48,329,669 was set aside under the general reserve fund in the county’s tentative FY 2025-26 budget, with several itemized categories. No one with the county government who could be reached as of Friday was able to confirm which area the funding would come from.
“One of the core priorities of our strategic plan is public health and safety,” Petito said. “This emergency response reflects Flagler County’s compassion and commitment to helping our neighbors in need. I’m proud of our team’s generosity and proud to stand behind this funding decision.”
In addition to the $50,000 contribution, the county also has $8,000 appropriated in its budget for Grace Community Food Pantry, the largest food bank in Flagler County. With their organization set to receive a thousand fewer dollars from the county than they have in recent years, they’ll almost certainly wind up with more taxpayer subsidies than ever at a time when they need it most.
The Grace Community Food Pantry is also the beneficiary of Flagler Broadcasting’s ongoing Food-a-Thon, which is working toward the goal of a $200,000 donation. Among the prominent local donors are the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office ($5,000), Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris ($3,000), Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 ($2,500), Sheriff Rick Staly ($2,000), Flagler Realtors ($1,000), and Palm Coast Business Professionals ($550). Employees of the county were responsibly for another $3,610 in contributions.
National Background
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of several federal initiatives affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Since October 1st Congress has been unable to agree on a continuing resolution, with Senate Democratic opposing a Republican-majority plan which doesn’t extend Affordable Care Act subsidies instituted in 2021. With the shutdown now having become the longest in American history, both parties have rampantly blamed one another for the ensuing effects.
A lawsuit was filed in late October by over two dozen states – mostly but not solely Democratic states – to attempt to force the administration of President Donald Trump to reinstate SNAP benefits in November. Multiple judges have since ruled that the government cannot withhold SNAP benefits from recipients, and the Trump administration is currently fighting in appeals court for a block on a court order mandating they release more than their proposed 65% of SNAP benefits.
Lawyers for Trump’s Department of Agriculture argue that the funds which would be used for SNAP benefits are currently set aside for other important food programs. They also contend that the judges who ruled they must pay SNAP benefits are assuming the power of spending for the judicial branch of government, one which is enumerated to the legislative branch in the Constitution.
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.
