Everything's fine. >> Then let's go ahead, let's go ahead and call the meeting to order. First up is the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> First up on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from the May 18th meeting. You've all got copies. Anybody have any questions, comments, concerns? >> Make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any discussion at all? All in favor, say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None. Does anyone on the board have a conflict of interest they'd like to disclose at this moment?
Keep them to yourself. Very nice. >> [laughter] >> We will move into the comment section of the agenda. This is the public comment section. You please stand state your name for the record. You have 3 minutes to speak. I see one coming from the back. >> I'll fill it out after.
>> We trust you. >> You trust me? >> Well, sort [laughter] of. >> Uh-oh. Well, you know how to do it. >> We know where you live at least. >> Oh, yeah. Uh for the record, Gary Earler, Port Salerno. Um I brought this up at the NAC last week.
Uh property improvement program, uh up to $20,000 for the county, $5,000 for the property owner. Application number eight, Caesar Holdings Group LLC. The property's now up for sale. I would ask that this board
We need to We need a return on our investment. Of course, we had a return on our investment. In fact, um putting the money out, I would like to see a return on the investment. If not, I would like it to be reimbursed. I know the SHIP program does it. Um
basically legal language. Um that's one thing I would like like to see taken care of. Whether it's a 5-year plan, 10-year plan, however you want to do it. If we're putting out 20 grand, and the guy puts a business up for sale and every our 20 grand made him 100
grand, I want I want our 20 grand back. I mean, basically, uh you know, break it down however you need to, you know, 80 20 80 60 40 20, however it is. Um the other thing I'd like to bring up
um It's in the It's inside the CRA. It's It's in our NAC and it's the uh Upland facility in Port Salerno. Um the docks, I just went by there on my way here.
The docks and everywhere else has asked for a dumpster enclosure around all the properties. Um I don't know if for some reason they didn't do a dumpster enclosure cuz sitting in the front yard of the grass
has a has a a dumpster there and it's marked Martin County with a with a job number on it. So, um the Morningfield needs a dumpster enclosure. Thank you. Thank you. >> That is a good point about the >> Yeah. >> property investment program.
Something we might want to talk about moving forward. Any other public comment at this time? Seeing none, we'll go into our first presentation, the CRA capital projects review. >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Susan Corrales, Office of Community Development. Um
so active capital projects 622 26. We're going to start with Golden Landscape Vision. We did have a community engagement event on May 27th that was held at the um at the community center. And we had our
consultants were there, Cadence and Cutler and Hearing, and they did a presentation with materials, and we're looking for some public input and any questions that the public might have so that we could answer them. Uh the Boys & Girls Club Fork in the Road truck
was there, and they were providing a meal to anybody that did participate. So, unfortunately, it was not well attended, but we did get a few people. Um And there were some comments given. Um the construction design is now
underway, so we'll get to see that coming shortly. We'll get to move on to Dixie Highway Stormwater and Streetscape Project. Good news on that one. We did get approval on the design contract, so the project is now officially moving forward. So,
that's a really good uh really good movement on that one. That happened on at the May 19th board meeting. And I am going to address Port Salerno Park Drive. So, I did get an update um
after I had already put this agenda out. I did get an update on uh Park Drive. So, as you know, it was a two-phase project. The second phase is what is going to really, I think, change the look of Park Drive, help the fishermen, put in the dumpster
enclosure, um so that bid package went to purchasing late last week or it has gone uh will go early this week. So, between the process of purchasing, reviewing, the bid going out, the opening, board approval, we're
probably looking at 4 to 5 months to construction. So, there will be a second dumpster enclosure uh for the Morningfield facility and it's going to be right off Bayview Street. Kind of north of the facility. Um
and instead of parallel parking the way it looked earlier, they were going to put parallel parking in front of the facility. They've changed that to pull in >> diagonal >> vertical, whatever you want to call it, angled to get a few more spots. So, that's kind
of important for that area, so that's what's going on there. I don't know if anyone had any more questions about that, but we should see the end of that project by the end of the year. That'd be nice. Um last but not least, I'm going to
point out CRA open space plans Golden Gate kickoff meeting will happen on Wednesday afternoon. So, that'll get started as well. Any other questions on any as always, please feel free to ask. >> Uh just regarding the park drive, I'm
sure they'll be discussing this at the upcoming meetings as far as what the second phase will entail, just a review and then of course include the dumpster enclosure. Thank you. >> Everybody good? >> Mhm.
>> Thank you. We will now move to new business, which is our legislative update. Specifically talking about the property tax constitutional amendment. >> Yay. Yay. >> I'm Susan Carras again.
So, on May 27th, Governor DeSantis released this property tax elimination proposal. So, that includes increasing homestead exemptions from 50,000 to 250,000 and eventually possibly phasing into 500,000.
And what I provided for you was some information on what the bill says. I did provide the bill itself as well for you to look at. Um we do have some additional information I put up there for you. So just to
discuss what the bill is, what it says, it says that any ad valorem levied by counties and municipalities can be used for the following. So not only it's sort of a two-parter. So not only increases your homestead exemption, it also then
tells counties and municipalities what they can spend any ad valorem on. So any ad valorem that's collected through other means, they tell us what we can spend it on. And those things are: provide for public safety including law enforcement, fire
service, and emergency medical service. Provide funding for education in public schools, and that's a different levy that that the Department of Education uh does, the school district does. Finance [snorts] or refinance infrastructure including
expenditures on road and bridge construction and maintenance and storm water control. Finance or refinance natural resource projects including flood control measures. Issue local bonds for uses consistent with this paragraph and to make debt
service payment for existing obligations if we already have bonds for example. Meet obligations for retirement benefits for local government employees. Last, fund the operations and administration of county offices,
officers, and commissioners, and expenditures approved by such county officers of county or municipal governing bodies except those expenditures prohibited by general law. So it it also places some new
restrictions on the use of ad valorem revenue for certain specified government services. Um if you want to get a little bit more information on the numbers, how something like that would impact our
budget, Martin County, um I would say the first discussion that happened here at the county in this room was at the um May 9th, sorry, June 9th board meeting. The very last presentation was done by
Stephanie Merly, director of OMB, and Don Donaldson. Um and that would be a play a good place for anybody to start, including anyone out there in TV land. Um if they wanted to see what the initial discussion was about.
So, this is proposed to happen January 1st, 2027, where 150,000 will be shaved. Well, I shouldn't say that. I said 150,000 will be shaved from your exemption.
So, that will be your exemption up to 150,000. January 1st, 2028, it becomes 250,000. Those numbers will be adjusted annually for inflation. Um there is a lawsuit that is being filed
uh that talks about the language in the bill being unconstitutional. Um if you want to know more about that, go to your friends and neighbors column >> Yeah. >> written by Tom Campenni, today's
edition, and he has a a whole article on that. Save our voters from misleading ballot language Inc. They are filing this complaint. He has the entire complaint there. You can click on a link and read it. Uh it's
very interesting. Um it summarizes why they feel that the language is misleading, and it's politically biased, etc., etc. And that apparently is unconstitutional because it denies voters the fair and accurate information that they
might need to make a good decision on any vote. Right now, the referendum is scheduled for November, and that's when all of Florida will vote yes or no on that. So, I don't know what
the deadlines or timing is of any um lawsuit. I don't know if Sebastian would have any more information. I don't know if it's actually been filed yet. It seems that it has. That was the impression I got. So, a lot of people are saying as well
that it's a tax shift versus a service reduction because if you get rid of you know, I don't know, a third of your revenue, there has to be some replacement for that. So, how does that
happen? How does that work? Um so, a tax shift means that you don't eliminate the cost of government, you shift the um burden onto something else. So, if it doesn't come from property tax, you know,
what is that something else? So, there's different ways of of looking at that. You know, obviously, if you lose 25% of your tax base, um your revenue decreases. Obvious. So, if you have decreasing revenues, what can you do to increase them? Well, you can increase
the millage. So, that's one way that local governments could look at making up some of that. But, let's face it, that's not going to do probably do the trick. Um so, the non-homesteaded property tax rate could also increase.
Millage could also increase on um commercial businesses, large and small. You know, the The does talk about how it protects small businesses, but it doesn't talk about businesses of any other size or commercial multi-family properties,
those types of things. You know, they they say that they in the bill it says that the assessed value of those things is is not allowed to increase more than 5%. But the tax rate may go up. So that
would be the shift, if you will. And then there's fee-based revenue. So you want to put your boat into the water, you have a fee. You want to use your library, you have a fee. You want to go to a park, there's a fee. So
there's different fee schedules, you know, that a county or municipality could use in order again to make up some of that revenue. So those I mean, we don't really know what the situation will be specifically
until after November when the vote comes in. So I've just given you pretty much all the information I have. I've provided you as well, because knowing you guys, one of the first questions you're going to ask is what can we do?
So I provided you with a very nice little handout thanks to Mr. George Stokas that tells us what we can do. Now as citizens not as a CRA board member or
part of the CRA in any way, you can talk about property tax pretty much any way you want, but if you are representing then these are the do's and don'ts of what we can do. And this goes for
all governments in general, all municipalities, local governments in in Florida. These are the do's and don'ts, what you can do, uh say, and put out there in the public versus what you cannot do. So, it's a good little cheat sheet, if you will, gives you some
information in that vein. So, I would encourage all of you to take a good look at it. Um become familiar and think about maybe what, you know, you as an individual or as part of the this board, you know,
what we can do, want to do, will do, etc. Now, we're open for questions and I have lots of backup here to help answer them. >> So, I have a question. So, how do I mean
I've been really >> [clears throat] >> I've been following this. I've been really struggling with this. Um you know, for me personally, woo, great benefit. Um however, I don't want to have to pay to go to the library. I don't want to have to pay to park at the beach. I don't you know,
it's my town. And and I'm also looking at things like what does it do to the CRAs? What does it do? Do we Does Is that funding come out? Um or is that up to the counties to decide how their budgets are going to go? What How does that work? I mean, is it just basic services are the only thing that's going
to be allowed? I I'm just I'm curious. >> So, when you think about what those things that the county would be able to spend ad valorem on, we fit into that a little bit here and there. Um there is some overlap in terms of
infrastructure and water quality and storm water infrastructure, those kinds of things. However, um as we know, the CRA is funded by ad valorem. You know, we supplement that with grants, for sure. We
supplement, you know, we make our money work harder for us by working with other departments. Um but when you come down to it, that's where all the money comes from. So, right now, the way it's being set out,
we are an obligation of the county per statute. We do have statutes. At the end of the day, I'm I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. The Board of County Commissioners can take a vote and say the CRA is now sunset here in Martin
County. >> Again, >> So, I Well, they they You know, they didn't get rid of us in 2009, so that's kind of encouraging. Um >> I'm wondering
>> What and what really happens, I I don't have any knowledge because this is new for I mean, I have no experience with this kind of thing happening. George, feel free anytime. Come on down. Um >> [laughter]
>> So, you know, do we keep the money we have? Do we continue with the projects that are ongoing? Do I don't know. >> Yeah, that was kind of my question. Is there Is there a way to prepare now for what might happen in November just so we don't >> Well, what what we can do, Mike, and
what our department is doing is looking at what are our projects? How do they fit into any of those sources that we're allowed to use ad valorem for? How does that help the county? What's the benefit? You know, what value would that bring? And can they spend money on
it? And and hopefully we can make a case. I mean, I think we can make a case for many of our projects in that sense. Not to mention that a lot of the projects that we do also have return on investment. Uh it's not just fixing a road to fix a road. It's fixing a road
to bring in business to increase um you know, >> I'm sure. >> tax base. So, I'm not sure how important that is anymore, but yeah, there we go. George, it's all yours. >> [laughter] >> I apologize Mr. What What was [clears throat] your your
questions? >> I miss Well, all my questions was, you know, again, benefit me greatly, but it's not just about me, it's about the county and the way of life that we live. And so, I'm very hesitant to even contemplate
something like this because of how it's going to affect our services. >> Sure. >> So, is it going to affect libraries? Is it going to affect beaches? Is it going to, you know, cuz all of that stuff is >> So, that's a a very uh it seems very simple to answer, you know, but I'm trying not to scare
everybody, but the answer is really quite complicated. Um so, I'll walk you through basically the process. If the referendum does pass in November, it needs a 60% passage. Um and Mr. Popovsky's going to throw something at me if he or wave his hands if he thinks I'm getting too political,
but I usually con- tend to cut right through and get to the bone of the matter. And that is if it does pass at a 60%, the county is estimating about a 40 to 50 million dollar general ad valorem fund
um reduction. We are [clears throat] also looking at various MSTUs and MSBUs cuts, and I'll come back to that. So, the line if it passes in November, the line will be then snapped. All our
property taxes are assessed on January approximately January 1st of the next year. Your proper- I don't know where your assessments are, but, you know, you'll be snapped. That will be based on your value. And then we go through the normal budget process. So, we will the budget we're pro- we are doing today
does not take into the referendum into effect. Fact, Martin County's looking to keep the millage flat or maybe a slight reduction or um the idea that we're going to raise the millage is probably very unlikely and very un probably by as much I think the Cubs have a better odds of winning
the World Series than us raising the millage. Um, so we would what we're really talking about is what we'll be talking about in July of next year. And a lot of what will occur is we unlike the federal government, we have
to have a we have to have a whole and complete budget. We can't go into deficit spending and so forth. Um, so the the Board of County Commissioners will will have to make certain decisions. Uh, because for example, just in the
fire rescue MSTU, because of the additional ad valorem at the 150 level, we'll have a $9.2 million shortage of funding estimated. I don't there'll be a policy decision of the board as to how they want to either make the fire department take a full
$9.2 million pay cut or excuse me, budget cut or is they going to backfill that. Those are all policy questions that will be up to the Board of County Commissioners. Um, and those will be discussions we'll have to have. On one end you have the cut side and on the other cut part of that
is you have the the revenue side. And um, other municipalities have considered stormwater fees, fire fees, some of them charge for beach parking, some of them charge to use parks, some of them charge to use
libraries. Um, those are all policy decisions that will have to come from the Board of County Commissioners. Um, so as to how do you it's not just a $40 to $50 million ad valorem gap, it's that plus MSTUs,
MSBUs, uh, and so forth. The county will be putting up a web page as this as we get further along and down the process. So, you know, some [clears throat] individuals will actually pay more than what they're paying today if certain fees are adopted. Um cuz right
now if you're if your domicile is assessed at less than 75,000, you pay nothing in ad valorem property tax. Um if you get to the two if you get to 150, you'll pay nothing. And if you get to 250, you'll pay nothing if your domicile
is at 250, but at some point the county has to look at the services and the expenditures associated with those services. So, those are all policy questions. I'm not advocating for the defeat or the advancement of any type of referendum, but there will be a it is a math equation.
Uh and we'll have to go from there. >> [snorts] >> Yeah, I mean it just seems to me that we're you know, again, I'm always about cutting taxes and things like that. However, there are certain services and it just seems to me that we're either going to have to fee everybody to death
or we're going to have to raise sales tax or we're going to have to do something to make up the shortfall because I don't think there's going to be enough to cover the services people expect. >> I I can say that this that the boards I've been here for 15 years. I came here in the back end of 2010.
Depending on what your perspective is, it's either the tail end of the recession you're still kind of in the recession. And at that time if if a lot of us forget, but back then we really had started acquiring the five to seven-year backlog of capital maintenance programs. And we've done a
pretty good job as a county to get [clears throat] to where the the capital projects are moving along. Um we're still trying to get past that 10-year backlog and we've done through so uh through funding instruments like the FPL franchise fee. Um we've moved
forward with some of the conservation elements with the passage of the sales tax. Um just keep in mind just from 2020 to today average inflation and I'm sure someone will check, but my understanding is the average inflation has been almost 34.5%.
I mean, let's also not forget the only plant that produced PVC pipe or the chemicals to produce PVC pipe blew up 2 years ago. I mean, those things all have indications. I did not expect to pay $5 for fuel
a few a few weeks well, 6 weeks ago, right? Fuel [snorts] 8 10 weeks ago was in the upper twos. I mean, we're we all feel it naturally, right? Um, we still face the labor issues, the housing issues. So, you know, when we have certain officials going around
saying, "Well, your budgets are 50, 60, 70, 80% bloated or they're inflated." Well, a lot of that is inflation, number one. Then number two, our voters elected officials that sit on that very dais and we entered into agreements with SAFER
grants and so forth to put more firemen, more sheriffs, more public safety on the street. That's why 65 cents out of every dollar we collect out of ad valorem or the 65% that goes to the first responders because when you dial 911, you want them to answer and you want
them to show up with the proper equipment and the proper number of people. Um, you know, and and we we do have to pay a level of service for that. So, um, yeah, I know it's been a lot of we're calling it the summer of some Well, I can't allowed to say that word. Anyway,
uh, of suckage is what we've been calling it. But yeah, it's it's it's going to a lot of a lot of fear, a lot of We'll see what happens with it, but there will be a lot of decisions that will have to be made around this time next year. >> Okay. You said the budget that you're working on right now, that goes into effect what October 1st?
That's based on >> last year. You're always 1 year in arrears. So, the budget values that we are working on today were based on the draw string or the chalk uh, the chalk line that was drawn on January of 26. Right. So, if it passes in November,
then let's let's just say for example, right now if your house is valued at 150 today, you're going to pay $75,000 worth of value on of valorem taxes on that domicile. Now, fat [snorts] let's say it passes in November
and then we go to pull the drawstring again in January of um 2027. Let's just say there was no value increase to the homes. You will now go to effectively no property tax rate. You'll have you'll have the full 150 in exemptions.
>> But your budget's still based on there being taxes collected after January 1st on the original numbers. >> Yes, if you the way I've been kind of trying to explain it to folks, I try to keep it simple for myself. It it used to be you had a base and and you're taking your deductions.
You think of all of it as like a as a a cup. We're not taking away from the top of the cup, we're taking away from the bottom of the cup. So, you're losing some of your foundations. So, really the next pull line in January is an additional 70 75,000 exemption.
So, you're getting a full 150. So, you have some We also have something else just to further coat the good and bad news for the counties are if you have municipalities that are primarily residential, they cuz the resident you're getting all
these new if we're going to get up to 250 and a half a million, at [snorts] some point they're no longer sustainable and they have to revert back. The county is the full backstop for the state of Florida. So, you could have municipalities that are 90 plus percent residential
and maybe they're not a high uh they don't have a high high threshold of value. They may no longer be able to collect there may not be almost any revenue for them to collect. Does that kind of help get you to the picture you were asking? >> Yeah, no, I've I've got the picture, I think. >> are you asking, Mike, if we pass a
budget now based on last year, but don't collect that? >> Yes. >> How do we operate? >> We collect it. We collect it. It'll be paid. >> So, if it's the year behind, then we've collected >> So, when it >> All right.
>> When when you're snapping >> know. It's a timeline thing in my head. That's what I'm stuck on. >> Yeah. What What We're almost like a year ahead >> ahead. Yeah. >> You're just 1 year ahead. So, what will happen is if it passes in November, we will then plan on our October budget of '27 based on the values in January of
'27. >> So, it really will start to affect October 1st, '27. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I I can tell you that the county >> chair then, so that's fine. >> Yeah. Well, >> [laughter] >> and to go back to your question, >> I mean, and to go back to your question,
no commissioner has has mentioned this, but as professional staff, we like to provide the commissioners with all the options. Right now, I believe you take the 75% TIF or we lessen >> 65 >> 65. I apologize. 65% TIF. It could be
lowered down to 50. Okay? Or it could, you know, it does My understanding is it's an ordinance change, which is the majority of the voters of the commission would have to vote 3 2 2 dissolve the CRA. Not saying they've even thought about it. Not trying to invoke fear. I'm just saying
those are the things we have to look at is when we're trying to backfill those. >> That's why I'm asking about timelines, so I have an idea of what >> That will occur Those decisions should begin to be made in July of 2027 through the normal budget process.
>> Yeah. >> Um and and then also the state did pass uh legislation that says that the county has to look at uh has to do an exercise of a 10% cut every year. That was in the legislation, so we're we're working on those, but yes, and we [clears throat]
are obligated The city of Stuart has a CRA, and we have to write them a check approximately 5 to 7 million every year for their CRA. So, [snorts] cuz they're part of our general ad valorem and it's the TIF or the tax increment funding
difference. >> Right. >> So, um yeah, there's a lot of moving parts. >> What happened to the current you know, constructions and stuff like that? Like all the projects we have. >> Well, they'll continue because they're
funded. Um I would say debt service will be questionable if it with the passage. Um if if you have projects underway and there's dissolution of the CRA, it'll then be probably rolled into the actual
county operations of itself. Um but that's, you know, I mean, those those [snorts] are the different options, not that we've again, no commissioner has told me to do that. It's just a matter of preparing for what possible passage and what might be asked.
>> I have two concerns. One is it seems like the state's taking more and more power away from the county. And the county knows what's best for them more so than the state does. And that's been going on for a while, but the other concern is if people think
they're going to pay less taxes, they're going to vote for this. So, it's going to be very important since we might not be able to do it next year is to put out a capital campaign about what this means to everyone. >> Well, before the election. >> Well, unfortunately, the state of
Florida really hampers what we're allowed to do and not do and campaign and not campaign for. Um it's up to you as individual citizens to get the word of mouth out and even if we're successful, we're probably only going to be successful for Martin County. I don't know about the whole state.
Um so, we're really hamstrung as to what we can and can't do. But yes, I I would also there are another side to look at this though is those domiciles or the residential components
that don't pay any property tax now. For instance, there are if you're right now if you're below 75,000, you don't pay any actual ad valorem property taxes. But if you move to a storm water fee or a fire fee, now everyone pays it. So, in an essence
where you think you're going to actually save money, you're now actually paying more, especially some of those are more vulnerable populations, shall we say? Um it is a shift. It is a shift of both who's paying for the taxes and it's a shift um
to more of a user model. Um you know, for example, someone like myself who you know, I'm a dual income, no kid, live in a gated, guarded community. It's all great once I'm in my property. Obviously, once I go out the walls, it's
a little different, but I don't have kids. So, I don't have to pay for youth sports fees, right? Whereas currently today, the Board of County Commissioners has made a policy decision to subsidize youth sports so that it's attainable. I don't have to take advantage of parks
and recreation programs like we have at the Lamar Howard uh Center or at um >> Vince Bocchino. >> Vince Bocchino. >> Thank you. Vince Bocchino Center. Where those are those are funded by Children's Services Coalition and our parks department. So, where those are
considered low cost or at need. But now those individuals will have to pay. I would also imagine that if you're an out-of-county resident using an in a Martin County facility that there would be a higher rate than if you were in Martin County. So, there's a lot of shifting and changing. A lot of this
will come down to policy decision made for by the uh Board of County Commissioners. >> I don't want to be them. I just >> Your turn. Kind of got around the whole room. >> [laughter] >> So, I I know you can't give complete
answers right now. None of us have that crystal ball to know what's going to happen in November, but I mean, I'm all for eliminating waste, but I do think there's, you know, some aspect of this that, of course, is going to concern most people. Um, especially here in Martin County.
>> [clears throat] >> I um I just think we'll need to make sure that everyone understands that what we already have in the works is already budgeted for and planned for. So, we won't lose those things, but I think it's going to be the
future you know, projects. I I think, Jamie, we're okay until October 1st, '27. >> Mhm. >> Because >> And then we're going to have to prioritize and figure out what It It There's just no answers, really. We're speculating at this point. Yeah.
>> also like to add, being the guy that's in charge of the grants and aids for the county, a lot of your ad valorem, for example, I'm working on a project right now where we have our fixed asset replacement budgets or our CIP budget, where maybe
you have $250,000 set aside. Well, it's a 50/50 grant. Now, I can take a $250,000 project and really do a $500,000 project uh that betters the community, but because now that $250,000 will be gone, it results
in zero. So, when the when individuals are saying, "Well, just you grant use grant money." Well, a lot of those grants >> Are matching. >> it's 50/50, 75/25, 80/20. There's almost no 100% free money out there. That That Yeah, it
doesn't happen anymore. So, um that's a problem. So, that We We Martin County just my office alone, we regularly get about 63 million-ish for, you know, in representation for the whole county, just in ad general ad valorem grant funds. And then
>> So, that goes away as well. >> That would go away. So, that's a lot of stuff that that will have to be considered. >> So in particular our big, you know, septic to sewer project. >> Well, septic to sewer is not general ad valorem fund. That's not a but now if
the the money that the CRA puts in if the CRA doesn't exist, that's a whole I mean we're getting very specific. That one's different and I don't want to instill fear. I'm not trying to fear-monger. But like um a lot of parks and recreation grants, like um
a lot of storm water grants, a lot of um street grants, those type of things are very um 50/50, 80/20, those type of things. >> Which our project has that tied up into it. >> DOT grants, highway administration, all of those things. So it affects a lot of
services. It affects everything you do pretty much every day. >> From a county standpoint, are there any positive aspects at all to this? >> I still have my hair color. >> [laughter] >> Love your hair. >> Not for long. Is is there any positive to this?
I mean to put the silver lining on a cloud, it it you know, I I have said for many time if people have ideas of where they're think there's waste then please, you know, where they where they want I think what's interesting about this county and I think just people in general is we all have our pet projects or pet
loves. I'm saying pet and I'm looking at Dr. Centel, but um you know, people love the libraries in Martin County. We have six libraries in this county of 160,000 people. That's a lot of libraries. But you know, well supported, they got two um
two two groups that back those libraries and our libraries are gorgeous. People love them. Our historic buildings, people love House of Refuge and and all of our historic buildings and those So we all have our little niches of what we love. Um but when you start looking at the
full effect of of something like this, I don't know. I'm hoping the silver lining is that the voters will look at and kind of come down to the same conclusion that you have is I really don't want to pay for beach parking. I mean, uh Lake Worth Beach charges for parking. That parking lot was full. I mean, there
people were paying 20 25 bucks an hour or whatever it is down there. You know, it's it's >> And and don't forget that a lot of these amenities will not be the same. Parks will not be the same because the maintenance will not be done. Beaches will not be the same for the same
reason. So, you know, you might pay a fee to go to these places and they're not going to be what you would maybe like them to be. There may be no lifeguards. >> My hope in the benefit is people might actually might might through this through this uh
social experiment, shall we say, um look at and go, "Okay, I mean, I will tell you from an economic development perspective where I see on that desk, I see businesses putting a pause. Even with the cap on the non-residential, they're putting a pause because they recognize that they have to
get to their business, what the road's going to look like, what's the crime going to be like. Um I mean, I don't see us not funding the sheriff and the fire department, but you know, you have companies going, "Well, wait a minute. Do I really want to be a part of that?" And they're they're putting pauses on
things. Um And and it will be And I think also some of the individuals you know what they see the shift and they're like, "Well, wait a minute. I mean, I've said to someone like, "Hey, you just bought a $4 million home on the water. It's great cuz my house is only worth X. So, I'll be out of paying property tax
in a couple years. You know, so now you're paying for me." So, they there's there's that kind of social component, but it's an interesting dialogue. So, as far as a silver lining, that's about the best I can come up with right now. >> I'll take that. >> the hair better. >> [laughter] >> I feel like one [snorts] minute you
bring me up there and then >> [laughter] >> I still have my hair. I will go with that and my physique. >> I'm not worried about my hair. I'm worried about being thrown out in the street. I mean, I'm worried about having another
Golden Corral again. That's what I'm worried about. >> Any other questions? Comments? We're just going to let George off the hook that easy? >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> I'm sure we'll have more coming up. >> Any public comments? By the way, I'm sorry. I mean, I got jumped uh jumping
ahead. Any public comments at all? Any discussion? >> Thank you, George. >> Here you are, Port Salerno for the record again. Um my biggest fear with this is uh a lot of our projects, even in Port Salerno, Newman Road via doesn't have
the hookup till 2028. The last thing I want to hear from the county or anyone else is, "Oh, we ran out of money." Well, no, you didn't run out of money. You had the money and you didn't spend it in a timely manner. Some of these projects, and I'll bring it back up I'll
be at the BOCC tomorrow. Some of this stuff's been funded since 2018. It's 8 years behind. And and I brought it up at our NAC meeting uh a few meetings back that it seems like some of these projects don't get
approved until they get grant money. Well, they had the money 8 years ago. For whatever reason, it wasn't done. Now they get a grant and all of a sudden it's back on track. And this is septic to sewers with 1,000 homes and and every
or 10,000 homes in 10 years. 900 and I believe 72 are in Port Salerno alone. So, they need that number. Um my fear is that the the septic to sewer is a big issue with Jamie, I know. Um
but once again, New Monrovia is on the end. And myself and everyone else in Port Salerno is like, why is New Monrovia on the end? They're always on the end. They're all I mean, we we've had multiple, multiple conversations with residents and they've been screaming and
crying for years. For years and it's like, what do I got to do to get you to come back? They were like, man, we hate to tell you, but 10 years ago we were there. And and nothing got done. So, hopefully all this gets worked out. Hopefully all these projects
um but tomorrow I got something for the BOCC. Thank you for your time. >> Tune in for that. >> Mhm. >> Any other discussion, public comment at this time? Or comment on that item. >> [laughter] >> Then we'll move into the official public comment portion of the afternoon. Any
public comment? None. >> I have a couple of things. >> Couple of You're not You're not public. >> I'm just guesting. >> You're not a member either. Any member comments? >> That's me. >> [laughter] >> I just I just had good news. Uh >> We're not here for good news, Jamie. >> Yay, Jamie.
>> to give some some some good news today. Uh the New Monrovia Park project is coming along. Um it looks really good. We're all excited. I just want to make sure our pedestals stay there because we were thinking of a future project down the road, which who knows what's going to happen in the future. Um but that
would be something that the um New Monrovia CDC could be part of and maybe they could take on that project. Um but anyway, it looks really good. Everybody's excited. >> Excellent. >> I'm glad we dealt with the rumor hearing that um supposedly this project wouldn't be completed until next year, but that
rumor has been squashed. So, we're very excited and it looks good. >> Good. >> All right. >> That is good news. >> Joy. >> For pushing that along. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Joy. That's right. City yeah, anything? >> I don't know what to say. I mean, is a I
have a whole big bag full, but this is really just uh really really damp to everything else. What happened with the our El Camino is coming along. I saw some poles already being put in.
>> It's coming along. It'll get done before any of this gets legs. >> what happened with the grant? >> With what grant? For the one that we are using for El Camino? One of them we've already spent, so that's done.
>> not talking about the grant for El Camino. I'm talking about the pilot grant. >> Oh, well, we don't know yet. That we won't know until later this month, I think. >> July? >> July. >> Thank you. >> Rex, anything? >> I'm good.
>> Mhm. I'm good. >> Uh all I have is an invitation to come to Rio to see our brand new art installation at the Martin Circle celebrating our country's 250th birthday. >> Excellent. >> I'll have to go through those. >> Yeah, much better than rebar. It's patriotic, so come on by.
>> All right. >> Thank you. Susan, do you have anything? >> [laughter] >> I had I had two positive things as well. One is you will see your annual report there waiting for you. Sorry that we didn't get it to you last month,
but uh it is there for your bedtime reading. And there should be copies out in the front for audience members if they would like them. Um and I did have just a little treat because I know today was a little tough. So,
last weekend or last Friday, I should say, every Friday the county communications department puts out what they call county connections, and there was something that I just found really interesting and kind of fun. Um and it's done by um
our mosquito control folks, and I thought I'd share it with you cuz chickens have become um, talked about in the county. So, I thought you should know what they do for us.
Oh, no. Help. Okay, how do I make it big? Probably can't do that, huh? >> You'll have to hit the little speaker thing to turn the volume on on the video itself. >> Yeah, I'm looking for it. Up at the top.
That? >> Nope. >> Over? >> Over. >> Ah, there you go. >> Now, you got to hit play. >> arrived here at mosquito control as peeps back in January. Now at 5 months old, they're ready to be deployed out to seven coops across Martin County to help monitor for mosquito-borne illnesses.
Here's how it works. First, our highly trained technicians give each hen a quick blood draw. >> And we hold them just like this. Nice and easy. You see how the chicken's calm. Uh, it's very humane.
And what I'll do is we'll lift the wing and there's a little vein right here. And just like when we go to the take get our blood drawn, we draw blood from the chicken just a little bit. >> If a chicken is bitten by an infected mosquito, it will develop antibodies to
fight off the virus without ever becoming sick. Chickens are known as dead-end hosts, meaning they don't transmit the virus back to mosquitoes or humans. The chickens are checked three times a week and their blood is tested every Friday for any antibodies. When a chicken tests positive, our team
uses that exact location to intensify trapping and spraying operations. That chicken is then brought back to the main coop to relax. These sentinel chickens typically participate in the program for 6 to 12 months before being re-homed to local residents or farms.
By helping detect mosquito-borne illnesses early, these chickens play an important role in protecting public health across Martin County. This flock is ready for the mosquito control mission. >> So, I thought since last meeting we
learned about how bats help us, now we can learn about how chickens help us. Stay tuned next meeting. >> [laughter] >> Who would have thought, right? There you go. >> I was under the impression that Connie did not want to have the chickens
because I was here and speak on behalf the the Golden Gate about the chicken. So, uh we have to have them? They changed their mind with >> Well, mosquito control can uses them. I'm not sure about the whole backyard thing. We're not We're not going there. >> [laughter]
>> That's not what we're talking about. >> I mean, they don't realize chicken are dangerous with their bugs. >> All right. Well, good news today. >> [laughter] >> What do you call that bug who goes inside in the skin? >> Anything else?
>> And with that, I'm done. >> And with that, we're adjourned.