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Check Out Our New Free Event
Insight Series
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🗣️ Quite Zones in Martin County
Trains, Noise, Safety and What it all Costs
A Community Briefing on Where Your Tax Dollars Are Really Going
FEATURING – County Commissioner Stacy Hetherington
This isn’t your average community meeting. It’s your chance to ask questions, get answers, and connect with others who care about what’s happening right here in our hometown.
✅ Come curious. Leave empowered.
🗓️ April 28, 2026
📍 Harry and the Natives, 11910 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
RSVP - Let Us Know You Are Joining Us Click Here
Ever wonder where your money’s going—and who’s deciding how it’s spent? This eye-opening event pulls back the curtain on how your local tax dollars are allocated, who’s behind the decisions, and what it means for you, your neighborhood, and your future.
🧠 Get the inside scoop from our featured local guest speaker
🤝 Network with movers, shakers, and change-makers
🍴 Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar in a relaxed setting
📣 Gain the knowledge—and the voice—you didn’t know you needed
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News Gathered Directly for You
 Board of County Commissioners Chair, Sarah Heard is for good reason, very concerned with the abuse of lands in PalMar. For those who don’t know, PalMar stands for Palm Beach – Martin. It is land that is located in both counties, south and west of 95. It is basically wetlands deemed unbuildable. But it was platted and so allowed to be sold. (“I’ve got some swampland in Florida for you!”) So, it has become a playground for outdoors enthusiasts who do not recognize its fragility. ATV riders in particular, have simply destroyed parts of it. Both Commissioners Heard and Vargas are puzzled by the inability of the Sherrif to enforce the law there. Would he perhaps EXPLAIN? Commissioner Ciampi suggested an ATV park be designated somewhere in Martin County to allow this activity legally. Perhaps one of the County’s 74 parks could be designated. Just sayin’.
Commissioner Ciampi has made good on his promise to sell the land in Palm City that the County, at his request, purchased a couple of years ago simply to keep a developer from building on it. The Commissioner and residents did not feel that the project was appropriate but were unable to legally stop it. While Commissioner Ciampi felt there was no other recourse at the time, the MCTA came out vehemently against the purchase on philosophical grounds. We stand by our opinion but feel it only fair to report that the Commissioner did make good on his promise that the land would be sold without the County losing money. Congratulations Commissioner. Please don’t do it again.
Stay Tuned…..The Commissioners stated their priorities for this year. MCTA thinks this should happen in January. We will forward them to you in a separate email forthcoming.
There is now an agreement between the County and the Pt. Salerno Dock Authority regarding the exclusive use of a new bathroom facility (replacing long present porta potties) for which the county will pay $5,340/yr. in janitorial fees. Chair Heard’s position has long been that the land controlled by the Authority should be returned to the taxpayer. She feels we no longer know who is using the docks. An opinion disputed by Butch Olson representing the commercial fishermen who will use the facility.
The .5 cent sales tax referendum approved by the voters in 2024 to purchase land for conservation was used most recently to purchase 96 environmentally sensitive parcels in Poinciana Gardens in Hobe Sound for $32k each. There are approximately 500 unbuilt platted parcels in that area infamously used as an ATV riding area. Will they buy them all?
Indiantown used $275,000 of the sales tax dollars to buy some land from the County. Land which is not environmentally sensitive. This is an allowable exception, a loophole so to speak, for the dollars received by municipalities if they are to be used for capital improvement. Small print stuff.
A 315-acre parcel on Pratt Whitney and SW Trailside Path was approved for purchase. It appraised for $3,075,000. It is being purchased for $3,400,000. 😕
Fire Chief Chad Cianciulli appeared before the BOCC with a strange request. He wants to meet with the Stuart Fire Chief who apparently cancelled a planned meeting regarding the transport of emergency patients. Since April of 2025 when the Cleveland Clinic closed their obstetric services, expectant moms must be transported to Tradition or elsewhere. Chief Cianciulli wants to renegotiate the interlocal agreement between the City of Stuart and the County regarding this. He made some damning accusations which boil down to the Stuart Fire/Rescue endangering patients by refusing to call County Fire/Rescue in a timely manner. There’s a lot more to his presentation and it is fascinating and infuriating if all accusations are true. It is worth a 20-minute watch.
See it here: https://martin.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=24
The BOCC agreed to stand behind the Chief’s (when have they not?) request. But, Commission Chair Heard wondered why, if the City didn’t play ball before, why would they now?
Sheriff Budensiek addressed the Commission regarding a life and death issue. The “Death Corridor” which is the 33.7 miles on SR710 between Martin County and Okeechobee has seen 1,250 vehicular crashes since 2015. Averaging 3 deaths per year mostly involving the heavy trucks and cars attempting to pass in no passing zones. Speeds have been recorded at over 100 mph in many cases. The Sheriff reported writing 2,781 citations in that area last year alone. There is now more traffic traveling SR710 due to the development of Terra Lago (There will be more than 2000 homes once completed.) and GPS’ directing traffic to SR710. The good news is that FDOT has prioritized widening the road, but delays caused chiefly by acquiring necessary land won’t allow shovels until 2030.
Need rental assistance? Perhaps rehab for a roof, sewer connection, impact windows and more? The State Housing Initiative Partnership Program aka SHIP has $1.5 million to help. See if you qualify here: https://www.martin.fl.us/SHIP.
The Commissioners decided to accept a Resilient Florida grant for $120,000. These grants are to “address the impacts of flooding and sea level rise that the state faces, funding assistance to analyze and plan for vulnerabilities, as well as implement projects for adaptation and mitigation.”
The arthropods are at it again. So, mosquito control will accept a grant for $7,731 to help keep the little devils in check.
The Martin Ship Pump Out Operations Program aka MS POOP will pump your boat’s septic tank out for free! Anywhere in Martin County waterways. It doesn’t matter where your boat is registered. There are 2 boats working 5 days a week which have pumped out over 60K times. This program has been pumping since 2000 hoping to keep boaters from dumping in the water…so to speak. Operational grants from FDEP pay for 75% of the service.
A 6,1450 square foot building will be added to the Building Department costing $4,130,616. The good news is that the bid came in lower than was budgeted. 😂
Emergency Management asked to transfer $40,000 from the general fund to assess threats and hazards in case of a disaster.
A proposed expansion of the school zone on Citrus Avenue in Palm City was put on hold until more stakeholders could weigh in.
Commissioner Capps is very concerned about the Enclave Bill sitting on the Governor’s desk. If signed, the new law would allow developers to “fill in” enclaves to smooth out the Urban Services Boundary. These developments would be rubber stamped.
Here’s the bill summary: The bill amends s. 163.3162, F.S., which regulates agricultural lands and practices, to replace the existing public hearing process for development within agricultural enclaves with a new process outlined in the bill. Agricultural enclaves are pockets of agricultural land that are mostly surrounded by development.
Under the bill, the owner of an agricultural enclave may apply for a certification confirming that the land is an agricultural enclave, subject to a public hearing and approval process. Upon certification, property owners may submit development plans for single-family residential housing consistent with the land use requirements of adjacent parcels. Local governments may not enact or enforce a law or regulation for an agricultural enclave that is more burdensome than for other types of applications for comparable uses or densities.
The bill revises the definition of “agricultural enclave” to clarify that they may include one or more parcels. It also includes additional criteria for determining whether a property may qualify as an agricultural enclave under state law and limits agricultural enclaves to lands within counties having a population of 1.75 million or less.
The bill’s provisions relating to agricultural enclaves expire January 1, 2028, at which time the text of those provisions will revert to the text as it existed on June 30, 2026.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026. |
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Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Meeting March 23, 2026
A presentation and review of the current Capital Improvement Projects was on the agenda. Many of these projects are in different states of progress from planning to actual construction. Examples are the El Camino trail in Golden Gate, the Dixie Hwy Stormwater and Streetscape in Hobe Sound, Etc… Each CRA area has many projects listed as priorities.
The Capital Improvement Plan which funds the projects revealed that for FY 2026 Golden Gate has 9 projects totaling $2,206,200.00 and a projected increase to their budget for 2027 of $965,950.00 with an 4 additional projects. Hobe Sound has 9 projects totaling $8,025,100.00 and is projected to increase to their budget for 2027 of $1,993,100.00 with 2 additional projects. Jensen Beach has 4 projects totaling $2,044,000.00 and a projected increase to their budget for 2027 of $394,500.00 with 2 additional projects. Palm City has 3 projects totaling $496,200.00 and a projected increase to their budget for 2027 of $1,041,800.00 with 4 additional projects. Port Salerno has 10 projects totaling $6,848,340.00 and a projected increase to their budget for 2027 of $1,715.500.00 with 6 additional projects. Rio has 8 projects totaling $6,248,100.00 and a projected increase to their budget for 2027 of $1,712,500.00 with 3 additional projects. All the details of these two agenda items are available on the county website here: Martin County Search. Search the projects in your area. |
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Martin County School Board (MCSB)
It was time for the board to pick which medical plan should be selected for district employees. For the third time in three months, the Insurance Advisory Committee chose a 10% increase for each of the three plans offered. Board Member Moriarity did not approve. He argued that no increase was warranted. He recommended switching to Cigna from Florida Blue last year. He made a motion to buy down the increase which is roughly $363,000 to keep a no premium feature. He suggested using the self-insurance fund. Board Member Roberts wanted Cigna to rebate half the cost of the $363,000 increase. Board Chair Marsha Powers wondered how Cigna could ask the teachers to pay a 10% increase while Cigna’s CEO and other executives increased their compensation by millions of dollars. It was decided that the board would pay half after Cigna agreed to pay half. This was followed by a discussion of what level to fund the Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Last year each employee received $750 toward the accounts. Member Roberts suggested that it be lowered to $500. If that were the case, the district would have an overall break even with what they were contributing to the high-deductible plan. Member Moriarity made a motion to leave it at $750 per employee. It was seconded by Member Pritchett and passed 4-1 with Member Roberts dissenting. The board feels that the no-premium employee high-deductible plan helps find and retain teachers although there is no data to verify that. |
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Business Development Board (BDB)
Executive Director, William Corbin presented his report and stated that the priority areas for the BDB were Pulse Visits (a program to visit local businesses and assist them with growth plans) and facilitating access to capital. He stated that the benchmark would be assisting local businesses in securing $300,000 in loans.
Mr. Mark Barnes, a partner with the auditing firm of DHMB, P.A., presented the audit report which basically said the books were in order. A suggestion was made that the allocation of expenses could be improved to provide better year over year comparisons.
Mr. Kevin Farrell, Workforce Coach with the School District, provided a recap of the career and technical education in high school and middle school. He outlined the programs at each of the high schools and the results of the programs in placing students in local businesses for an internship. The corresponding placement rates post-graduation exceeded 70%. The funding for the development of the program comes from a Perkins Grant that was more than $4 million and phased in from 2023 to 2026. The school district is also coordinating its efforts with Indian River State College to provide a transition to IRSC’s certificate and associate degree programs.
Mr. Dan Romence, President of the Board, announced that he will be stepping down to focus his time on the marine industry. Ms. Lauren Abbot, President Elect, will be assuming the role of president. |
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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
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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.
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Dear friends and supporters of MCTA,
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!
Martin County Taxpayer Association is an IRS registered 501 C3 – EIN: 59-0652292
~ All Donations Are Tax Deductible As Allowed By Law ~
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