Flagler County Headed up while Volusia goes in the Opposite Direction
In two key areas, student enrollment and resort bed tax, Flagler County sees increases while our neighboring county to the south suffers decreases.
Palm Coast, Florida – September 15, 2008 – Even with its unemployment rate ranked second highest in the state, Flagler County continues to buck trends seen in other Florida counties. Looking at student enrollment growth and the tourism related resort bed tax revenue, Flagler County outperforms Volusia County, its neighbor to the south.
While Volusia County reports a decline in student enrollment for the second straight year, Flagler adds students. Volusia County’s schools opened their doors this semester based on an estimated decline in student enrollment of 1.036 less than last year. However, preliminary numbers indicate enrollment is actually 300 to 400 students less than the estimate, prompting a need for further staff and faculty cuts.
Not so in Flagler County. The Flagler County district gained students (about 50 per month) throughout last year’s school year. Now, preliminary enrollment figures show an additional gain of over 400 over the summer. Flagler’s performance also compares well with the state. The Daytona News-Journal reports public school enrollment throughout Florida is down by 37,000 students this school year.
In a separate news item, that same publication reports that Volusia County’s tourism industry is suffering. Tourism related resort bed tax revenue for the county was down 8.7% this July compared to the same month last year. The story attributes the decrease to "the high cost of living – buying gas, food and power." Meanwhile, Flagler County, confronted with those same economic factors and a higher rate of unemployment fared considerable better. Flagler’s bed tax revenue grew 14% from $85,572 to $97,501 during the same July to July period.
Why stop short?
Very interesting and valuable valuable reporting.
I cannot help wondering what is the reason that Flagler county is doing so much better?