Palm Coast Local
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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) 986-2520After-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: Business Insider
From Challenge to Community: The Heart Behind Zaxbys Palm Coast
There’s a quiet strength that comes from hardship — the kind that shapes character, sharpens empathy and reminds us what truly matters. For Shannon, co-owner of Zaxbys Palm Coast, that strength was forged early in life and continues to guide every chapter.
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- Written by: The Garden Club At Palm Coast
- Parent Category: Business Blog
- Category: Garden & Lawn
The Garden Club at Palm Coast proudly announces Karen and Gary Trainor of Fort Caroline Lane as December 2025 Selection of the Month.
The Trainor’s, formerly from Massachusetts, have been living in Palm Coast since 2002. Gary is a Tooling Design Engineer and works in Ormond.
Karen is an animal behaviorist and has rescued a deaf one-eyed cat teaching him, “Tommy Jack Sparrow” cat sign language!
They were selected for their curb appeal and diversity of plants in their front yard. On the left corner they have a large Australian umbrella tree that can grow up to 50 feet. They had no idea when they brought it down from Massachusetts in a small pot.
They were going for the fire-look when they planted their front garden with a variety of colorful mums, trumpet rose, poinsettias, a variety of crotons. Evening primrose, vincas, Hawaiian Ti, schefflera, firecracker, and sanchezia plants.
There is a column on both ends and the entrance one has beautiful climbing red
Mandeville’s. Behind this garden is their favorite place to sit outside and enjoy their bounty.
Karen has 2 blueberry bushes, 2 pineapples, rosemary, English thyme, parsley, basil, oregano, and kiwi started from seed. On the right side there is a beautiful large plumbago in full bloom, 2 pink crape myrtles, orange hibiscus and several prickly pear cactuses.
We were very fortunate to be able to see their gardens as we just had two nights and days of very cold weather.
Thank you, Karen, for covering them in time for the cold blast!
Submitted by Nancy Iandoli
Selection of the Month Committee
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- Written by: Palm Coast Local
- Parent Category: Business Blog
- Category: Flagler Business
Amazon Announces Major New Warehouse in Daytona Beach: A Regional Win for Jobs, Growth & Community Impact
Big news is coming to the coastal corridor: Amazon has announced the construction of a large-scale warehouse facility in Daytona Beach, marking one of the most significant logistics expansions the area has seen in years.
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