Flagler County, FL - Permit applications are on the rise in Flagler County, and the numbers include new single-family homes.
"This is wonderful news," said Commission Chair Nate McLaughlin. "It is a clear signal that Flagler County's economy is rebounding."
Development activity in the 1st 6 months of the current fiscal year (2016-17) has topped the yearlong activity of the previous year. Some 373 permit applications have been submitted for review between October 1, 2016 and April 30. The Flagler County Growth Management Department reviewed 351 permit applications for the fiscal year 2015-16.
"The increase has been steady," said County Administrator Craig Coffey. "It is evident when you compare the numbers to what we were doing the same month last year."
There were 181 permit applications made in October 2016 versus 178 applications made in October 2015, and they follow the same upward trend in subsequent months ending with 249 applications made in April compared to the 182 made in April 2016.
Single-family home starts have increased from a low of 25 in 2008 to 125 in the 1st 6 months of 2016-17 fiscal year. If the trend continues, this year's numbers will top last year's total of 210 permits for single-family homes.
"This is also a testament to our staff," said Coffey. "At our peak, the 2007-08 fiscal year, we had 27 employees working in Growth Management and a $3.44 million budget for that department. We are currently operating with 15 employees and a $1.78 million budget."
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