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Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
NOW is when your next property tax rate is being determined. The process is coming to a climax with all the department heads making their cases to the Board. MCTA has broken down the increase or decrease per department below. Caution should be used and there are footnotes that should be understood.
Public Hearings on the county budget will be Sept 10, 2025, at 5:00pm and Sept. 23,2025,5 at 5:00pm at the Administration Building on Monterey.
Now is the time to call the property tax assessor’s office if you have questions regarding your home’s value or the assessed value. You can reach her office at 772-288-5608. If you prefer to see Ms. Fields or her staff in person, they will be at the Hobe Sound library on 9/3 at 1:30 and the Blake library on 9/10 at 1:00.
There is a “reduction in the tax rate this year. The Board of County Commissioners decreased the millage rate by .71% from last year. Since your home’s value has increased, you may be paying the same or even more in property taxes. The county received $38,000,000 additionally in tax revenue this year mainly because of the value of the new properties built.
Perhaps the decrease in rate could have been more except there are needs which have not been addressed such as the dilapidated public works buildings across from the fairgrounds. For 20 years they have been asking for a public works complex to be built. The estimated cost is in the neighborhood of $80,000,000. MCTA wonders how much less it could have been built for 15 years ago had it been a priority.
The Elliot Museum and the House of Refugee are managed by the Historical Society of Martin County. They have a service contract with the County. The new contract has been increased only by $4,000, which is somewhat remarkable. It is a 3-year contract running $96,000 per year. A rather intense conversation ensued when Commissioners Heard and Vargas wondered when the last time the Historical Society’s books were reviewed. To anyone’s knowledge not in the last 7 years. There should be a policy for a standardized review on a rotating 3 year schedule for every entity with which the County spends taxpayer dollars.
A 6’x7’ $15,000 mosaic comprised of stained glass is to be placed at the Manatee Pocket mooring field upland facility. It’s glass folks and it’s going to be outside…MCTA guesses that’s what insurance is for. Speaking of art, the BOCC will purchase a sculpture for $33,000. “It Was a Windy Day They Would Never Forget” by Australian artists Gillie and Marc is appraised at $132,000. The county will purchase it for $33,000 including shipping.
Have you ever wondered where a sex offender shelter during storms? Martin County has 152 of them…sex offenders that is, and 15 predators. What the difference is you can look up. Apparently, now if they go to a storm shelter, they have to notify staff and will be attended by a deputy or sent to an alternate space.
Every year there are calls by confused citizens regarding the annual waste management assessment. According to the latest one we will be paying a TOTAL of $464.37 annually or an increase of $19.68 or as the county staff likes to break it down to 12.5 cents per pickup. It goes up every year. It’s baked into the 8-year contract that won’t be up for several more years. The notice is mandatory by Florida statute and is admittedly CONFUSING.
Public Works has contracted after competitive bidding, with TRANE to replace the antiquated a/c at the Cummings library, install LED lighting in all public buildings, install low flow aerators in the bathrooms and public safety complex (emergency operations, fire/rescue and sheriff). The county should realize savings of $9,000,000 over the 15-year project. The best part of this project is that by statute the savings must be guaranteed, if the savings are not realized, TRANE will have to write the county a check!
Fire/Rescue is applying for a grant to replace some aging gym equipment for $26,653 with 0 county match. They are also applying for new bay doors for some of their stations which will open quicker for $1,474,200 with a county match of $368,550.
Utilities and Solid Waste is applying for a $399,102 grant to replace generators. The county will match with $133,034.
The Sherrif is seeking a grant for crime investigation equipment for $271,103 and no county match required.
There were some continuing service contracts such as for a Utilities plant repair, maintenance and construction not to exceed $5,000,000 over 5 years. Heating, ventilation and HVAC not to exceed $5,000,000 over 5 years. Service contract for fiber optic cabling $10,000,000 over 5 years, custodial services not to exceed $5,000,000 over 5 years. Coastal environmental consulting and monitoring not to exceed $6,500,000 over 5 years.
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