 |
|
|
| You can help us safeguard your tax dollars; all it takes is a small donation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
There will be a Wawa at Locks Road and Kanner. While everyone wonders if the County needs more gas stations, it was by and large a “by right” project meaning if the County didn’t approve it, the developer could sue. The County would lose.
Newly elected Commissioner Vargas chose to interview appointees to the CRA instead of approving them automatically. This is a move very much appreciated by MCTA. Our observation of CRA board members is that they often accept anything offered by the CRA staff without much scrutiny.
A grant of $392,393 for MARTY was approved. This requires a match of the same amount from the County. MCTA asks why we are still throwing tax dollars into this riderless pit?
It sounds like Rural Lifestyle will be on the cutting block as newly elected board Chair Sarah Heard has asked for some text amendments for consideration to the designation at a future meeting. While Chair Heard has never been a fan of any free-standing urban service boundary, MCTA sees Rural Lifestyle as a way to preserve the Martin County rural feel and avoid cookie cutter townhouse developments. Any already approved will be allowed to continue building due largely to the fear of lawsuits.
Another fire station is needed according to an analysis recently conducted. Fire Chief Cianciulli expanded on the report by explaining that our COMP determines that Fire/Rescue’s level of service inside the urban service boundary needs to be under 8 minutes 90% of the time. They are currently only reaching this standard 77% of the time.
The development of Newfield will begin to erect homes within 12 months and the already established western communities such as Copperleaf have been asking for a station for decades. It was recommended by the report that a new station be built in western Martin County and that the Tropical Farms station be relocated to a site on Kanner Hwy. Also, the Indiantown fire station should be moved to better access the new development of Terra Lago. A new station is expected to take 3-4 years to build and will cost $15M including equipment and staffing in today’s dollars. An estimate of relocating the other fire stations was not given.
|
|
|
Martin County School Board (MCSB)
Who knew how involved planning the school calendar was? Seems if students are given a day off on a Tuesday, they’ll take a 4-day weekend, same for a day off on a Thursday. Or the entire day off when early release is scheduled. Where are the parents? There are mandated days such as holidays and religious days that have to be considered as well as teacher workdays and on and on.
Extended Day for VPK (Voluntary Pre-kindergarten) was discussed at length. As of this year VPK is offered at every elementary school in the County. The School Board will be making an ask at the Legislative Delegation for an estimated cost of around $1M from the State so that all children eligible would be able to take part in the program.
https://www.martinschools.org/page/school-board-header |
|
|
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
There is no news to report as of this newsletter. We will continue to monitor and report to you.
Visit their site at https://www.sfwmd.gov |
|
|
There is no news to report as of this newsletter. We will continue to monitor and report to you.
https://bdbmc.org/ |
|
|
| |
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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
