planning and building our future together

Palm Coast’s 2023 State of the City

Friday February, 10 2023

The City of Palm Coast hosted the sixth annual State of the City event on February 9, 2023, at the Palm Coast Community Center. The theme of this year’s address was “planning and building our future together.” 

The City of Palm Coast hosted the sixth annual State of the City event on February 9, 2023, at the Palm Coast Community Center. The theme of this year’s address was “planning and building our future together.” During the address, Mayor David Alfin highlighted numerous examples of how city employees work to turn that phrase into action. 

Starting things off, Mayor Alfin called attention to the incredible strides made by city staff in the past year to strengthen relationships with neighboring municipalities and local governments, with examples like the first-of-its-kind Flagler Crisis Communications Team and the aligning of legislative priorities between City and County government. Mayor Alfin explained how aligning legislative priorities locally increases the likelihood that the State of Florida will recognize the collective needs and be awarded more funding.

Mayor Alfin also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Palm Coast Fire Department (PCFD) and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). Not only in relief efforts for Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, but with preemptive training like the unprecedented Active Assailant Training held in 2022. During this training exercise, unlike previous training scenarios, FCSO Deputies and Firefighters worked together during an active incident to preserve life.

Mayor Alfin emphasized how critical cooperative efforts between responding agencies are when he reported that the PCFD, the FCSO, the Flagler Beach Police Department, the Bunnell Police Department, and Flagler County Fire Rescue collectively answered a total of 13,344 medical and fire calls for service in 2022. “We are proud of all the incredible men and women who work together to protect our residents and visitors during their most difficult moments, and we look forward to continuing to work with our neighboring first responders for the betterment and protection of all who live, work, learn, and play in Palm Coast,” Mayor Alfin said.

Also in the address, Mayor Alfin highlighted multiple special projects completed by the City’s Utility, Public Works, and Stormwater and Engineering departments that aided in the beautification and restoration of the City’s roads, parks, and more. These projects all had a direct and positive impact on the lives of Palm Coast residents.

Mayor Alfin also spoke about the importance of the City of Palm Coast’s Comprehensive Plan and how it is an essential tool in guiding future development toward a safe, pleasant, and sustainable environment. Mayor Alfin then encouraged attendees to get involved in the comprehensive plan update to have their voices heard on planning for the future. 

Whether you’ve lived here for a decade, a year, a month, a week, or a day, if you decide to share your feedback with us, I guarantee you’ll look at Palm Coast in a more profound way than ever before,” Mayor Alfin said.

Near the end of the presentation, Mayor Alfin recognized three exceptional leaders in the community and presented them with awards from the City of Palm Coast. 

The Public Service Award was presented to recently retired Fire Chief Jerry Forte for his 32 years of dedicated service to the Palm Coast Fire Department. Chief Forte began his career with the City as a volunteer in 1990 and worked his way up through the ranks to the top job of Fire Chief several years ago. He also served as Interim Director of Public Works in 2019 and Interim Assistant City Manager in 2021. “Chief Forte has always put the safety and well-being of our citizens first, and his leadership and expertise have been invaluable to our community,” Mayor Alfin said.

Mayor Alfin named Pastor Charles Silano this year’s Citizen of the Year. Pastor Silano has made an invaluable contribution through his work with the Grace Community Food Pantry and for initiating the first Food-a-thon that raised over half a million dollars for those in need in our community last year. “Pastor Silano’s compassion and selflessness serve as an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful for his dedication to making a difference in the lives of those around him,” Mayor Alfin said.

Finally, the Next Generation Award was presented to Emma Stanford. Emma has made a significant impact on the community through her work with Emma Loves K9s Inc. In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 226 with Emma by his side. The bill provides up to $1,500 a year in reimbursements for the medical care of retired police dogs. “Emma’s dedication to improving the lives of our four-legged friends is truly inspiring, and she is a shining example of our bright future,” Mayor Alfin said.

For those unable to attend the State of the City, a video of the live event is available at: 2023 State of the City LIVE. A shortened version is available here: 2023 Virtual State of the City  

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review


The Authors

Shannon Martin

Public Information Supervisor