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Written by: Palm Coast Local

Parent Category: Business Blog

Category: Government

Matanzas Woods Parkway: The Expansion That Signals Palm Coast’s Next Era

Palm Coast has come a long way from its early identity as a quiet bedroom community: A place where residents lived, retired, and relaxed, while jobs and major commerce largely existed elsewhere. The original vision focused on calm neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs, golf courses, and a retiree-centered lifestyle.

But the city — and its identity — is evolving.
Younger families are moving in. Larger companies and service industries are taking interest. Traffic patterns, commuting needs, and expectations for local amenities are changing. And one of the clearest indicators of this shift is happening right now along Matanzas Woods Parkway. This is not a city milestone, but a singal for residence and future inititives that will connect to the west-side current expansion and growth. 

This major expansion is underway, not just a repaving or minor widening, but a complete re-engineering of the corridor that will reshape how Palm Coast moves, grows, and connects in the years ahead.

“Matanzas Woods already connects to U.S. 1… so what exactly is being rebuilt?”

This is the #1 question residents are asking and for good reason.

Yes, Matanzas Woods Parkway already has a roundabout at U.S. 1, completed several years ago. But the section between U.S. 1 and the Florida East Coast (FEC) railway is still the old, two-lane system — the original layout left from the bedroom-community era.

What’s happening now is much bigger:

Here’s what the new project actually does:

• Rebuilds the existing western section (from U.S. 1 toward the railroad)

• Widens the road into a true multi-lane corridor designed for higher traffic flow

• Extends the roadway farther west into large undeveloped areas

• Constructs a brand-new overpass over the FEC railroad

• Creates the backbone connection that will eventually link Matanzas Woods Parkway all the way to Palm Coast Parkway

• Prepares thousands of acres for future residential and commercial growth

• Improves flow for emergency services, commuter traffic, and school routes

In simple terms:

Palm Coast is replacing an old, low-capacity road with a modern roadway ready for the city we are becoming — not the city we once were.

Why This Matters Now: Palm Coast Is Outgrowing Its Original Design

For decades, Palm Coast’s layout was built around quiet neighborhoods separated into “letter sections.” The community was intentionally designed for retirees seeking tranquility — not for tech workers, young families, and employers seeking local workforce hubs.

But today’s reality is different:

• Younger families are moving in rapidly

• Infrastructure demands are increasing

• New businesses are looking toward Palm Coast’s west side

• Traffic volumes are no longer compatible with the old 2-lane system

This expansion isn’t just a road project. It’s a signal of transition — from bedroom community to a more balanced live-work city.

How We Got Here: A Quick, Clear Timeline

• I-95 Interchange Opens (2016)

Matanzas Woods finally gets its own interstate access point, setting the stage for future growth and reducing pressure on Palm Coast Parkway.

• U.S. 1 Roundabouts Completed (2019–2020)

A major safety and flow improvement, modernizing how traffic enters and exits Matanzas Woods from U.S. 1.

• West-Side Expansion Planning Begins (2024–2025)

Initial design and engineering work starts for widening, modernizing, and extending the corridor westward.

• Utility & Infrastructure Preparations Underway (2025)

FPL, FEC Railway, and other partners begin relocations, adjustments, and agreements required for new construction.

• Construction Phase Expected to Begin (2026)

A multi-year build begins for the new multilane corridor, including the railroad overpass and roadway expansion.

• Future Phase: The Loop Connection to Palm Coast Parkway

A long-term vision that would tie together the city’s major east-west arteries, improving traffic distribution across all sections.

What This Means for Palm Coast Residents

When completed, the Matanzas Woods expansion is expected to:

• Improve connectivity between northern, western, and central Palm Coast

• Reduce congestion at existing high-volume roads 

• Create new opportunities for commercial development

• Support housing growth where thousands of acres are currently inaccessible

• Push Palm Coast further into a new era of economic growth and family-centered neighborhoods

Most of all, it symbolizes that Palm Coast is no longer just a place to sleep — it’s a place to live, work, and build a future.

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Written by: Palm Coast Local

Parent Category: Business Blog

Category: Government

Why Are Gas Prices Higher in Flagler County? Here’s the Clear, Simple Explanation

If you’ve stood at a gas pump in Palm Coast and wondered why we’re paying more than our neighbors, you’re not imagining it — and you deserve a straightforward explanation.

Many people assume gas taxes are the cause, but once we look at the actual numbers, a clearer story emerges.

1. What Part of Your Gas Purchase Is Taxes?

Florida drivers pay several layers of taxes that are already built into the pump price — you’re not paying them separately.

To keep it simple, instead of talking about gallons or formulas, here’s what matters:

**If You Pay $40 for Gas in Flagler County…

About $9–10 of that total is taxes.**

That’s roughly 22–26% of your entire purchase.

This is the easiest, most relatable way to understand how taxes factor into a fill-up.

2. What Taxes Are Included in the Price You Already Pay?

Here’s the breakdown in simple terms, with the actual amounts included:

Federal Gas Tax — 18.4¢ per gallon

Helps fund U.S. highways and transportation systems.

Florida State Fuel Taxes — approx. 32.2¢ per gallon

This includes:

• State Motor Fuel Tax — 22.0¢

• SCETS Regional Tax — ≈ 8.0¢

• Inspection Fee — 0.125¢

• Pollutant Tax — 2.071¢

Subtotal: Statewide Taxes Everyone Pays

≈ 50.6¢ per gallon

Local Option Fuel Tax (varies by county)

• St. Johns County — 37.325¢

• Flagler County — 38.325¢

• Volusia County — 43.325¢

Approximate Total Gas Taxes Per Gallon

• St. Johns — ≈ 87.9¢

• Flagler — ≈ 88.9¢

• Volusia — ≈ 93.9¢

But here’s the important part:

**Even though total taxes vary by only 1–5¢ between counties:

Pump prices can vary by 20–40¢.**

This proves something critical:

Taxes are NOT the reason Flagler’s gas prices are higher.

So what is?

3. The Real Reasons Flagler County Pays More for Gas

Once taxes are off the table, the true causes become clearer — and they’re all related to how fuel gets to us.

✔ Florida has NO oil refineries.

Every gallon is imported from out of state or overseas.

✔ Flagler sits between major fuel terminals, not next to them.

More miles = higher delivery cost.

✔ Delivery distance increases wholesale price by 5–15¢ before the gas even arrives.

✔ Flagler stations buy lower fuel volume than large cities.

Lower volume = higher wholesale cost per gallon.

✔ Fewer stations mean less competition.

In Daytona or Jacksonville, stations drop prices to compete.
In Palm Coast, many don’t have a competitor nearby — so they don’t have to.

These factors combined create price differences far larger than taxes ever could.

4.The Simple Truth for Flagler Residents

**Flagler doesn’t pay more for gas because of taxes.

We pay more because of where we sit in Florida’s fuel supply chain.”**

Taxes are nearly identical across counties.
The big difference is in wholesale cost, transport cost, and local competition — the invisible parts of the process residents never see.

Disclaimer:
All tax amounts, estimates, and calculations in this article are based on fuel tax structures and publicly available information as of December 2025. Actual gas prices, tax rates, and wholesale costs may change over time due to legislative updates, market conditions, or transportation adjustments. Figures are provided for general understanding and may not reflect future pricing.

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Written by: Palm Coast Local

Parent Category: Business Blog

Category: Government

Palm Coast, Florida Guide to Pet Licensing Requirements and Fees as of December 2025

Palm Coast pet owners—if you’ve wondered whether your dog or cat needs to be registered with the city, this guide explains everything clearly. In early December 2025, the Palm Coast City Council approved its first pet licensing fee update since 2008, adjusting costs to better support animal services and strengthen community safety.

Why Palm Coast Requires Pet Licensing

The City of Palm Coast’s Animal Control Division focuses on pet safety, public education, and helping residents care for their animals. According to the city:

Licensing dogs and cats allows Animal Control officers to quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their families—reducing stress for both the animal and the owner.

Licensing also ensures pets remain current on rabies vaccinations, protecting the community and preventing avoidable health risks.

Who Needs a Pet License in Palm Coast?

Any dog over four months old that stays in the city for more than 30 days must be licensed. Registration requires:

• Owner’s name, address, and phone number

• Proof of a current rabies vaccination

Additionally, all dogs and cats living in Palm Coast must be vaccinated for rabies and registered with Animal Control.

Updated Pet Licensing Fees (Effective December 2025)

• Spayed/Neutered Pets:
  $5 → $25
• Unaltered Pets:
  $10 → $35

These updated fees help fund essential Animal Control services, including pet reunification, safety enforcement, and community education.

Apply or download application here: https://www.palmcoast.gov/animal-control

Contact & Assistance

Palm Coast Animal Control operates under local ordinances and Florida State Statutes. If you have questions or need to report a concern, the city asks that you submit a case so staff can respond appropriately.
When creating a case, your name and address are required as outlined in Florida Statute 162.06.

For assistance:

• Animal-related emergencies during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM):
  Call (386) 986-2520

• After-hours emergencies:
  Contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 313-4911 (non-emergency)

This ensures that every concern—whether routine or urgent—is handled promptly and in accordance with state and local guidelines.

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Written by: Palm Coast Local

Parent Category: Business Blog

Category: Government

Flagler County: 2026 Mid-Term Elections Mail-In Ballot Guide

As we look ahead to the 2026 mid-term elections, Flagler County voters should know:
Under Florida Statutes §101.62, all vote-by-mail (mail-in) ballot requests expire at the end of each general-election cycle. A request that covered the 2024 General Election is no longer valid.

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Written by: Palm Coast Local

Parent Category: Business Blog

Category: Government

Florida’s New License Plate Law: What Vehicle Owners Need to Know

On October 1, 2025, Florida vehicle owners will face stricter penalties for obscuring, altering, or tampering with their license plates — even unintentionally. The new law, passed under House Bill 253, aims to make it easier for law enforcement to identify vehicles and prevent the use of devices that block cameras or scanners from reading plates.