F&N Article 7: What You Can Do to Help!

The essence of democracy is to let the people decide. Of course, practically speaking, not every decision can be made by citizens – that’s why we have elected officials.

On February 20, an agenda item will go before the Martin County Board of County Commissioners asking them to place a referendum on the November 2024 ballot for a temporary, half-cent sales tax to purchase and conserve natural lands in Martin County. 

If commissioners vote to approve placing the referendum on the ballot, it does NOT mean commissioners are voting to raise our taxes. What it DOES mean is that voters in Martin County will get to decide if they want to tax themselves.  This is the democratic process in its truest and purist form – let the people vote and choose their own destiny.

As we’ve stated in our previous articles, that you can read by clicking here, there are about 46,000 undeveloped acres in Martin County within four target areas that could potentially be acquired. Some of those lands are at high risk of development over the next decade if we don’t act now.  

If acquired and conserved, these environmentally significant lands will help clean and restore our rivers and waterways, safeguard sources of drinking water, create wildlife corridors, provide more access to beaches and shorelines and increase recreational opportunities.

Preserving natural lands also has economic benefits including increasing property values, promoting more efficient development, enhancing ecotourism, and helping farmers continue to farm.

It is worth repeating that commissioners would not be voting on whether to raise our taxes. This is a really important point as the election cycle begins and misinformation is likely to run rampant. They will simply be voting on whether to let the voters decide. 

While we know voters want to protect our quality of life, citizens can be skeptical of government and expect assurances that the funds raised through the sales tax will be used in the ways they were intended.  For that reason, guardrails have been put in place to limit how the monies can be spent. Specifically:

• The land acquired will be limited to four regions – “Blueways” beach areas, Pal-Mar, Indian River Lagoon Region, and Loxahatchee/St. Lucie Rivers
• There will be a citizen’s oversight committee and an annual audit
• The sales tax increase won’t apply to groceries, prescription medicine or school supplies and also doesn’t apply to purchases exceeding $5,000

Another positive aspect of the sales tax is that more than a third of the money will come from people who don’t live in Martin County.  

Sales tax revenue will be used to leverage additional matching funds from state and federal sources – stretching our local dollars even further!  Projected cash flow over the 10-year tax increase period can also be used to borrow funds to make major land acquisitions during the first several years.

If you believe in this Martin County Forever sales tax Initiative, NOW IS THE TIME TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.  Please send an email to Martin County Commissioners and encourage them to vote yes on placing this referendum on the ballot in November 2024.

Simply send one email to comish@martin.fl.us and it will be received by all five commissioners and other senior county staff.  And you don’t need to spend a lot of time writing a long email.  Something simple and heartfelt is all that’s needed.

Any questions?  Please reach out to us at martincoutnyforever@gmail.com. 

For more info visit www.martincountyforever.com. Follow us on Facebook at Martin County Forever Facebook   or on Instagram at Martin County Forever Instagram.