Drew Dixon
The Palm Coast City Council has a new member. City officials have announced that David Sullivan is replacing Ray Stevens on the city panel.
Stevens abruptly resigned his District 3 Council seat Feb. 28 with little explanation other than submitting a letter saying he was stepping down.
A few days later, Palm Coast officials launched a search to find a replacement. The District 3 term runs until the next election in November 2026.
City Hall began accepting applications and held a hearing process where potential replacements explained why they should be the new City Council member. Current City Council members made the final call in selecting Sullivan.
Sullivan is no stranger to politics in Palm Coast. He’s been a resident of Palm Coast for 24 years. He’s just coming off an eight-year stint on the Flagler County Commission, where he was on the board from 2016 to 2024.
Sullivan was sworn into his City Council seat in Palm Coast Tuesday morning and promptly took his position on the board for the Council meeting.
Stevens sent his resignation letter in February to Acting City Manager Laren Johnson. It was brief, though he indicated that health issues led to his decision to step down from the Council.
“This decision has been difficult, as it has been an honor to serve our community and to the important work we have undertaken together, however I have made the decision to resign due to my health,” Stevens said.
Sullivan has also been involved in public service decades before he was in elected office.
“Mr. Sullivan had a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain. He holds a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and served as Director of Special Programs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon,” a Palm Coast news release said.
