Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)The big news is that the Board of County Commissioners shot down quiet zones. Commissioners Capps, Vargas and Heard were adamantly against them. Even refusing to listen to more data. Capps and Vargas cited personal experiences with the train. Commissioner Heard was just as dismissive with the simple comment that “Quiet Zones are dangerous!” MCTA wonders if they have considered the millions of dollars paid in ad valorem from taxpayers living in the corridor affected by the train horns. Commissioners Ciampi and Hetherington wanted more data before forming a decision. But, seemed to be leaning toward 10pm – 7am at least.
The once controversial Atlantic Fields to be built on Bridge Rd in Hobe Sound is expected to provide $12.2 million in additional tax dollars in 2026. Upon its completion it is expected to employ approximately 400 during the season.
The City of Stuart and the County remain in disagreement regarding the request that the City write a letter of support for the County’s building a Brightline station. The agreement between the County and Brightline remains that if the County cannot come up with as much as $15M by 2027 the deal is off. The County plans on getting the funds from federal transportation grants and the County’s share of local gas tax which is fueled by visitors as well as County residents. The agreement in no way obligates the City.
Over $1.5M in adjustments were made to the 2025 budget which were a result of lawsuit settlements, reimbursements, PUD donations and reallocating monies from one designation to another. The most exciting being $894,173 as a 20% down payment on a new helicopter for the Sherriff’s Department.
The boondoggle known as MARTY will cost another $2,026,419 for its operation for 1 year.
Fire rescue is “consolidating” its level of service from 6 minutes response in urban areas to 8 minutes and from 15 minutes to 20 in rural areas. MCTA thinks since their budget has exploded by 52% in just 5 years while the county’s population has only grown by less than 2% each year, its time for an efficiency analysis of our fire department by an outside objective entity.
A new grant of $12.5M was announced for septic to sewer for 850 homes in the Pt. Salerno and New Monrovia areas. This grant will ostensibly allow the County to keep the homeowner’s assessment below $10k per household. ‘Ostensibly’ because the project must still go out for bid. County Administrator Don Donaldson reported that after Covid the cost of these projects doubled and continued to increase. Perhaps New Monrovia shouldn’t have insisted that the original grant a couple of years ago be turned back to the state.
|
|
Martin County School Board (MCSB)The MCSB is considering which health insurance to offer its employees. The District pays $6,500 per employee. Anything more is paid by the employee. The Board would like to offer a zero-employee-contribution plan as a recruitment tool.
A message from the District:
Investing in Education: Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent
Thanks to the voter-approved millage, the Martin County School District continues to invest in recruiting and retaining high-quality staff to support students. Competitive salaries, benefits, and stipends for select positions help attract dedicated professionals to our schools. Additionally, Superintendent Michael Maine’s reorganization plan focuses on streamlining operations and maximizing resources, resulting in cost-saving measures that enhance efficiency and productivity.
To connect with prospective employees, the District is hosting its Spring Job Fair on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Anderson Middle School. Open positions include but are not limited to bus drivers, extended day staff, custodians, school counselors, and psychologists. Many of these roles offer flexible hours, full benefits, and additional stipends that boost earnings. Employees also enjoy the unique benefit of enrolling their child in any Martin County school, regardless of where they live.
Our schools thrive because of the talented individuals who dedicate themselves to student success. If you or someone you know is interested in a fulfilling career in education, we invite you to attend the Job Fair and explore the opportunities available.
For more on what to expect at this year’s job fair, watch this video.
https://www.martinschools.org/page/school-board-header
|
|
There were several presentations at the Business Development Board. The first was Dr. Rishu Singh, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. He recounted the history of the organization since Cleveland Clinic (CCF) acquired Martin Memorial. He said that in the first year of operation CCF lost $100 million, suffered a $50M loss the second year and is now “financially stable”. He stated that the Cleveland Clinic has invested over $500 million into Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. It is recruiting 21 new physicians to the entity with the goal of reducing waiting times and expanding services. He was asked about the “facility fee” being charged in addition to the professional fee. Dr. Singh attributed this to the additional rules and regulations which a physician’s office must comply with once it comes under a hospital umbrella.
Chuck Shaeffer, CEO of Seacoast, and Tracy Dexter, CFO, presented to the BDB the bank’s plans for redeveloping its headquarters at Colorado and US1. The bank owns 8 acres on this corner and has submitted plans to the City of Stuart to build a new 50,000 sq. ft. office building to house its 250 employees at the headquarters. A parking garage will also be built adjacent to the office building. This should use approximately 4 acres; the bank anticipates selling the unused 4 acres.
Seacoast was founded in 1926 as a local bank. It has grown to the third largest Florida based bank with $16 billion in assets and has doubled its size in the last three years. The bank has deep roots in the community and is committed to sinking those roots even deeper.
Mr. Corbin, Executive Director of the BDB, gave a brief report and touched on the South Florida Gateway, Sands Commercial Center and Palm City Industrial Park and how these properties fit into the business community for both expanding existing business and attracting new businesses to the county. The Martin County Industrial Development Authority can issue tax exempt bonds to finance projects greater than $5 million. This also augments the efforts to attract new businesses. The BDB is currently working with four companies, all advanced manufacturing companies, to relocate to Martin County. Landing any one of the four will be a plus for the county. Currently, the staff of the BDB spends 80% of its time helping existing Martin County businesses expand and 20% of its time working with companies looking to relocate to the county.
|
|
|
Get Involved – We Need You!
Your 70+ year old, non-profit, taxpayer watchdog organization works with volunteers. There are many county meetings (usually lasting only about 1 hour) that are open to the public. We ask volunteers to attend just one a month (some don't even meet that often) and become the "expert" on that particular committee. You will pick a committee meeting that interests you. Then report back to the MCTA. You need not write anything except notes for yourself. If you are interested in serving your community without investing a lot of time, please contact Darlene for further information at 772-285-7447 or mctaxpayers1950@gmail.com
|
|
|
Keeping an eye on how our tax dollars are managed
For over 70 years, this volunteer non-profit organization has been the "Watch Dog" for
your Martin County Tax Dollars.
Your Donations Save You Tax Dollars!
Please consider a donation so we may continue for many years to come.
|
|
|
How Can We Serve You?
Do you have pressing questions you would like answered? Are you curious about how your tax dollars are being spent? Do you know who all the candidates are that are running for County Commissioner? What would you like to know? Ask us and we will do our best to find out. Have something interesting to share about Martin County History? Let us know and we just may share it here.
|
|
Dear friends and supporters of MCTA,
Enjoy our newsletter, and if you would like even more info on Martin County please consider checking out "Friends and Neighbors of Martin County." It is the county's fastest growing online news source.
Thoughts on MCTA - Hear what others have to say about MCTA
Please share your thoughts about MCTA and why it is important to you - we'll be sure to include you here. Send us and email mctaxpayers1950@gmail.com. (put "Newsletter Thoughts" in the subject line)
Are there topics you would like us to cover?
Send an email and we will do our best. mctaxpayers1950@gmail.com (put "Topic to Cover" in the subject line)
Please share this newsletter with everyone. The more we all know, the more power we have!
|
|
|
|
|
|
