PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 6, NO. 40
Should the City Council get a raise? Benefits? Councilman Steve Nobile said higher pay might attract a more diverse group of candidates.
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Diabetes Warriors
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NOV. 11 COVERAGE ONLINE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Laura Gilvary and her husband, John, have been on a mission to make Flagler County more aware of diabetes. And they’re making a difference. Find out how: PAGES 4-5
JONATHAN SIMMONS
YOUR TOWN
NEWS EDITOR
Palm Coast City Council members aren’t paid much: $9,600 per year, plus a cell phone/communications allowance and mileage reimbursement. They haven’t had a raise since 2007, and they aren’t eligible for the city’s health care coverage. The council’s two freshman members, Heidi Shipley and Steve Nobile, have suggested changing that — something Nobile believes would entice a more diverse pool of candidates in the future. Nobile suggested a base pay equivalent to 70% of the $50,916 County Commissioners make, which would leave City Council members with $35,641 — almost four times what they’re making now. “I just feel like it would open up the ability for us to attract candidates who both fall into a more diverse — diversified categories — and who are allowed to participate a lot more,” Nobile said during a Nov. 10 City Council workshop. Nobile said the council could delay enactment of the pay change by “two or three years, to the point where we’re not doing this, potentially, for our benefit.” If council members are paid enough to live on, Nobile has suggested at previous council meetings, more people would be likely to seek election; the current system is difficult for council members who work full-time. As things are, Nobile said, the council position is “a full-time job” that isn’t paid as one. “I probably, of everyone here, put in the least amount of time, and I probably put in 30 hours at least,” he said.
PALM COAST IN TOP 50 MOST LIVABLE CITIES
Brian McMillan
The view from inside the new Palm Coast CIty Hall
Palm Coast has been ranked 39 out of the top 50 most livable cities in the United States by 24/7 Wall St. Rankings took into consideration crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment and housing affordability. Data was reviewed on 550 cities with populations of 65,000 or more.
SEE SALARIES PAGE 10
INSIDE THE PATH TO WARM 3
SKATERS UNITE
AIR for AJ PAGES 16-17
Alice’s Adventures in Flagler County Anastasia Pagello
Letisha Tennant
Dylan Germano was one of about 50 skaters in the tournament at Wadsworth Skate Park.
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