HB 1329, titled the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act requires that before adopting a final budget, local governments must conduct a budget reduction exercise identifying ways to reduce proposed spending by 10 percent without affecting essential services such as law enforcement and fire protection. Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia stated that “Local governments have continued to grow their budgets by resorting to scare tactics like threatening cuts to essential services.”
*******
- A New Insights Event on July 9th
- More sand down the drain on Bathtub Beach
- The difference between gross and net
- The chickens come home to roost
- 60% of youth have been exposed to crime, violence, or abuse
- New stats for MC schools
*******
MCTA is hosting another Insights Event on July 9th from 4:30-6:30pm at Jay Michaels Restaurant (715 NW Federal Hwy. in the corner of the plaza at the north east foot of the Roosevelt Bridge). Commissioner Blake Capps will be our guest speaker. He will address what a County Commissioner CAN do and what they CANNOT. There will be a q&a period. The event is FREE but we would appreciate it if you would support Jay Michaels by purchasing food/drink. No RSVP necessary. Call Darlene at 772-285-7447 for more info.
*******
Hold your horses, Commissioner Ciampi! You’re putting the cart before the horse recommending that the envisioned Brightline station be moved to the fairgrounds. You don’t have the grants yet. And, there is still another year before the deal totally falls though if you can’t get the grants. As far as MCTA can tell people are about 50/50 on this issue. The louder voice seems to be those against a station. However, many are quietly saying that we are stuck with the train, why not benefit from it?
Commissioners Ciampi and Vargas spared (this is becoming an unfortunate routine) regarding the plan to build the new and much needed Public Works complex. Commissioner Vargas asked some good questions of which all were addressed by the County Administrator. MCTA has come out in favor of this process because of the recent experience building the Indiantown High School. We also believe that as County Administrator, Mr. Donaldson is paid to make such recommendations. By virtue of his job description, the County must be able to rely on his recommendations. Mr. Donaldson just celebrated his 30th anniversary with the County. He didn’t last this long and wasn’t promoted to this vitally important position by misleading or making impetuous decisions.
“P3” is a process by which 4 of 5 County Commissioners decided to utilize for the building of the Complex. This complex is just that…complex. The P3 process while being a “no bid” process guarantees a price and an outcome. An outcome which has been experienced by the County through the recent building of the Indiantown HS. The price includes soup to nuts right down to the furniture. Not a small task considering that this structure will house an assortment of highly specialized services and will need to be built out to satisfy an array of specifications to that end. This alone precludes the ability to compare it to general commercial buildings and come to an "apples to apples” conclusion. Commissioner Vargas was not accepting the decision of her peers and so Staff put together perhaps the most comprehensive presentation MCTA has ever witnessed in an attempt to placate Commissioner Vargas and any curious public. The presentation included professional experts and even a letter from the independent State watchdog organization Tax Foundation of Florida (not us). MCTA wonders why after every protest made by the dissenting Commissioner was dispelled by the Staff presentation and Commissioner Capps’ very valid points, Commissioner Vargas is still hung up on “no bid”. We wonder if she had built a house and was very pleased with the general contractor, that the quality promised was delivered by the date promised and she wanted to build a 2nd house, would she not simply call the contractor she knew she could depend on to deliver? Perhaps a broad category breakdown from the builder showing how they got to their number would satisfy the Commissioner. You can and should view the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu8yavUSvoA
A member of the public addressed the Commissioners with a concern that a recipient of the Community Redevelopment Agency Investment Program which is NOT income concerned, may have abused the program by selling their recently updated (with taxpayer dollars) property. MCTA does not agree with giving tax dollars to private enterprises ESPECIALLY without being merit based and for that reason we have protested this program from its inception. This was an abuse waiting for the opportunity and well, now that they’ve caught on, please discontinue this giveaway. 💲💲💲
There is a group of individuals wanting an additional public swimming pool in Martin County. Commissioner Vargas pointed out that over $315,000 tax dollars have been spent on the Martin County High School swimming pool. In addition, she pointed out that Sailfish Splash Waterpark lost $224,626 in 2025 and $378,112 in 2026.
The Business Development Board of Martin County gave a report to say they are asking for no additional funding. Created in 1990 by the Comp plan to encourage business retention and growth in the County, it has had its ups and downs over the years depending largely on the director. The new director seems to be focused and has had good reports. However, Commissioner Vargas commented on a business trip to Paris which was privately sponsored and a $50,000 lunch which was in fact a sponsored event. She’d like to see the BDB incorporate with the Economic Council which is a private organization. Commissioner Capps pointed out that the BDB may become quite important if ad valorem funding is cut. MCTA may point out that the BDB can entice all the commercial and industrial (of which Martin County is sorely lacking at only 4%...50% generally accepted as a “healthy” tax base) it wants, but the Commission must accept them.This, previous commissions have been resistant to.
Lake Grove in Palm City will bring sewer (including fire hydrants) to 64 properties costing a total of $740,900.The County will contribute and assessments will be amortized over 15 years.
An update was given on the Intracoastal and Okeechobee Waterways by the Army Corps of Engineers.The economic benefit of these waterways is estimated to be $1.2 billion with $68 million in federal tax revenue and $55 million in state and local tax revenue. The dredged material is tested prior to renourishing the St Lucie Inlet and Bathtub beaches. The St. Lucie inlet gets dredged every 3 years. “Mother Nature is moving sand around a lot more”, quipped a presenter. Bathtub Beach now needs 3 surveys per year and monthly drone monitoring because it is such a “variable system” .Commissioner Capps wanted the public to understand that this is a federal project and that Commissioners have no control over what happens. Thankfully, Martin County is not solely responsible for the St. Lucie Inlet. FDEP helps with grants. And the Florida Inland Navigational District (FIND) will cost share to some extent. But at some level this responsibility is an unfunded mandate as we are to replace the sand that boat traffic and beachgoers displace. Seems somehow unbalanced and never-ending. Just sayin’
The Environmental Lands Oversight Committee aka ELOC which is attached to the tax referendum you, the taxpayer, voted to raise sales tax, is buying .2 acres in Poinciana Gardens for $24k.The plan is to purchase more lots as it will eventually grant access to Atlantic Ridge State Park.A park few even know exists today.
2.66 acres adjacent to Sailfish Splash Waterpark at SE Ruhnke and Willoughby will be re-zoned so it can accommodate a public facility with a clinic.
The County accepted a Federal Transit Administration grant in the amount of $1,520,776 for and $617,424 for safety security enhancements. There will be $405,119 match, part of which will be paid by yet another grant.
Opioid Abatement Funds of $785,066 will be made available to fund direct client services and diversion courts with zero match by the County.
A continuing contract of no more than $5 million over 5 years will be awarded for disaster recovery engineering services. Another contract for disaster debris monitoring will be awarded for no more than $3 million over 5 years.
A continuing contract for Aviation Planning and Engineering Services was approved not to exceed $3 million over 5 years.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Kevin Abbate made a presentation to show how successful several park projects such as Sailfish Splash Waterpark and the Golf Course are. However, much to MCTA’s chagrin only GROSS numbers were used and it was an operational report. See above where Commissioner Vargas points out that Sailfish Splash has actually lost money the last 2 years. Many of you who have owned or run businesses realize such reports are nearly worthless when assessing the success of an enterprise. NET figures which of course account for the EXPENSES are what MCTA would like to see made public.
There was a presentation made by County Administrator Don Donaldson and Office of Management and Budget Director Stephanie Merle regarding the consequences if the proposed property tax referendum passes. See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vipdKeybUxY&t=11348s There were innuendos of raising fees or even raising the millage rate. One would expect that of taxpayer paid staff. Commissioners Ciampi and Vargas seemed to get the point of the proposed constitutional amendment. Taxpayers don’t want the County government to “find ways to replace the lost funds”. Taxpayers want counties to stop excessive spending! It will be up to Commissioners to defend projects clearly and choose carefully. Suffice it to say that this discussion would not even be taking place were it not for excessive spending by County governments throughout the state. Just because home values skyrocket, doesn’t mean government spending needs to keep pace! Wants and needs must be more clearly defined. Importantly, the public must demand to know the cost of what they are paying for. For example, did you realize that the walkway through the Mangroves in Indian Riverside Park cost $600,000! (We’d love to hear from you as to whether you would have voted for that had you known the cost. Email us at mctaxpayers1950@gmail.com with your opinion.) Another important point to be made is that, as admitted by some commissioners, Martin County may be more adversely affected than other counties because we are reliant on 75% residential ad valorem. Previous Commissions have staved off commercial and industrial entrepreneurs from building and bragged about it. Fine. Now those chickens have come home to roost since Martin County has only 4% C&I whereas to be considered a healthy county is to have 50% property tax revenue dependent on C&I.
The Commissioners voted to apply for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program grant which will offset costs of incarceration of same. This grant is $357,899 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance with 0 County match.
A Children's Services Council (an independent taxing authority; see the back of your TRIM notice) grant in the amount of $410,000 will be applied for to help with after school and out-of-school programs. Parks and Rec will match this with $350,590 additional tax dollars.
A Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources grant will be sought for the restoration of the House of Refuge boathouse building … a $354,450.County tax dollars of $354,450 will match the request.
The County will accept $1,754,232 or 75% of the total cost for the rehabilitation of the Bridge Road Bascule Bridge in Hobe Sound. The County’s estimated share will be $1,534,589.
The Florida Department of Health Tobacco Free grant in the amount of $841,965 in order to facilitate tobacco prevention programs and for policy advocacy will be accepted. FYI, since 1971 when labels were mandated on cigarette packs we have been trying to educate people about the dangers of smoking. The County will not need to spend your local tax dollars on this.
An FAA grant has been accepted for the extension of taxiway A hold bay in the amount of $1,125.913.Whitham Field(which is an enterprise fund taking 0 local tax dollars) will pay $29,630 toward this project. Read a more in-depth article here: Now You Know About…Witham Field - Martin County Taxpayer Association. The airport will receive an additional FAA grant for the reconstruction of runway end identifier lights and precision approach path indicator system construction. FAA will grant $774,478 and the airport will pay $20,381.
Adjustments were made to the 2026 budget in order to accept a State Housing Initiatives Partnership program the purpose of which is to assist qualified homeowners to bring their homes up to current code requirements including sewer and water hook up, home demolition/replacement and rental assistance. Do you think these homeowners will vote for property tax relief?
A contract for the SE County Line Road Bridge replacement and removal was approved for $7,462,501 fulfilling one of Commissioner Capps’ priorities.
There will be a re-bid for professional services to operate and manage the St. Lucie Inlet which should cost $4,362,094.
Disaster related debris removal was contracted for no more than $3 million over 5 years.
Some unfunded mandates were discussed such as the increasing demand and complexity entailed with public requests. The Public Records Department made a presentation to inform the public and Commissioners that every requested article must be reviewed by Staff to ensure that confidential information must be redacted. This department works with 3 full-time employees. So, if you don’t get your 45,000-page request in 48 hours that’s why. (MCTA’s italicized comment)
Another unfunded mandate is experienced by the Building Department which is consequentially adjusting its fee schedule.Keep in mind that this department is precluded by statute from making a profit on fees.So, this adjustment is in response to their rising costs.Only Director Jeff Dougherty could make a Building Department presentation interesting.He wants you to know that the first building code was introduced by the King of Babylon around 1750 BC.It was written on a wall part of which exists today in the Louvre. Monday night trivia here we come! 😁Our current building code consists of at least 10 volumes!
Some very nice residents of Jensen Beach are donating a gazebo to the Langford Park Pavilion. Maybe they can start a “Friends of Parks and Rec” to help Sailfish Splash Waterpark. Reasonable.
💫💫💫💫💫
Infant Mental Health Program Yields $13.82 in Taxpayer
Savings for Every $1.00 Spent
By Laura Haase
Executive Director
Did you know 26% of children ages 4 and under have experienced traumatic events, and 60% of youth have been exposed to crime, violence, or abuse? These statistics are even worse for children who live in poverty. State records show that 11.5% of Martin County children live in poverty, while another 33% of local families are living paycheck to paycheck, often just one unexpected expense away from financial hardship.
The Infant Mental Health program funded by the Children’s Services Council of Martin County and administered by Tykes and Teens uses the proven-effective Child-Parent Psychotherapy treatment, which has an average return on investment of $13.82 for every dollar spent on a child receiving services. The Children’s Services Council of Martin County, which is funded through a small portion of local property taxes approved by Martin County voters, is investing $241,900 in the Infant Mental Health program. Other funders and Medicaid are contributing an additional $105,793.
*******
Martin County School District (Excerpts taken from MCSD announcement.)
The Martin County School District is proud to announce that students have achieved the highest level of academic performance in District history, according to the Spring 2026 statewide assessment results released by the Florida Department of Education.
- 4th highest-performing Florida district in Geometry (only District listed in top 4 among the Treasure Coast)
- 8th highest-performing Florida district in Civics
Compared to neighboring school districts:
St. Lucie County
- MCSD outperformed St. Lucie Public Schools in Mathematics, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Civics, and U.S. History
Palm Beach County
- MCSD outperformed the School District of Palm Beach County in Geometry, Biology, Civics, and U.S. History.
The 2026 assessment results demonstrate continued academic growth across the District:
- English Language Arts (Grades 3-10): Increased from 55% to 59%
- Mathematics (All Grades): Increased from 60% to 63%, exceeding the state average of 61%
- Grades 3-5 Mathematics: Increased from 62% to 65%, exceeding the state average of 64%
- Student achievement in Mathematics (Grades 6-8) has increased from 56% to 58%
- Geometry End-of-Course Assessment: Increased from 60% to 69%, exceeding the state average of 55%
- Grade 5 Science: Increased from 52% to 58%
- Grade 8 Science: Increased from 49% to 50%
- Biology 1 End-of-Course Assessment: Increased from 75% to 76%, exceeding the state average of 74%
- Civics End-of-Course Assessment: Increased from 77% to 81%, exceeding the state average of 76%
- U.S. History End-of-Course Assessment: Increased from 74% to 75%, exceeding the state average of 73%
That's all folks! See you at Jay Michaels on the 9th!
Happy 250th!!!!
ITS EASY TO BECOME AN OFFICAL MEMBER OF MCTA AT https://mctaxpayers.org/join-now/ WE DEPEND ON YOUR DONATIONS. THANK YOU.
|
