FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is considering widespread budget cuts following the passage of Amendment 3, with Sheriff Rick Staly saying no option is off the table as the agency prepares for a possible $15.5 million loss in fiscal year 2028.
During a meeting with sheriff’s office leadership, Staly asked department leaders to identify potential savings as the agency prepares for the financial impact.
“Voters have spoken, and they are our bosses,” Staly said.
Rather than looking for ways to replace the anticipated revenue loss, Staly said the agency is focusing on reducing its budget.
Shanea Stankiewicz, the agency’s Business Service Section Director, said the election results sent a clear message.
“The voters have spoken. They don’t want additional taxes or more fees or anything else. They want these cuts,” Stankiewicz said.
The sheriff’s office has already started taking steps to reduce spending.
Shortly after the election, an agency-wide email announced that authorized over-hires had been revoked and confirmed the sheriff’s office would not take over animal control services.
On Tuesday, Staly announced the agency would also implement a hiring freeze and canceled an order for 10 to 15 new vehicles that had been planned for the next fiscal year.
Staly has also asked members of his leadership team to compile a list of the agency’s current contracts and calculate how much money could be saved by canceling each one as well as what the service impacts are.
He expects that review to be completed by the end of January.
Staly said the agency will examine all possible areas for savings and that nothing is off the table.
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