Sales-tax increase in Martin County to buy land would help preserve 'unique character'

By: Will Greenlee

Treasure Coast Newspapers

October 3, 2024

MARTIN COUNTY − Voters will decide on a referendum designed to help preserve environmentally-sensitive lands — protecting Martin County’s “unique character” and water quality — by raising the sales tax by one-half percent for 10 years to help pay for it.

The Martin County Commission in February voted to let voters decide at the Nov. 5 general election whether to increase the sales tax to potentially raise $18.3 million a year to conserve properties identified in four areas. If approved, Martin County's 6½% sales tax would increase to 7% for 10 years beginning Jan. 1.

The land-purchase program, including the tax hike, was presented to the county by the group Martin County Forever, which was founded in 2022. The properties would total nearly 46,000 acres, and would be purchased only from willing sellers. 

The tax increase would not apply to groceries, prescription medications or school supplies, and it would not apply to purchases exceeding $5,000, according to Martin County Forever. About 37.5% would be funded by people not living in Martin County, the group stated. 

If approved, a nine-member oversight committee made of individuals “from different groups within the county” would select the properties, said Jim Snedeker, a team captain of Martin County Forever.

“Everything from the business community to the farm community to the environmental community," Snedeker said. “We wanted to be sure that all of the key players had a voice in this.”

The land only would be purchased from willing sellers, with proposals being made to the county commission.

The four regions identified for purchases include property in the Blueways Program, which are undeveloped parcels along the waterfront; Indian River Lagoon South; Pal-Mar; and Loxa-Lucie. Indian River Lagoon South and Pal-Mar are west of Interstate 95 and Loxa-Lucie is east of I-95.

The initiative includes conservation easements which would allow the county to buy the development rights to a piece of property. The easements would be irrevocable and in perpetuity. 

Asked why voters should support this, Snedeker said when vacant property is developed, it stays that way.

“Once the land is gone, it will be gone forever,” he said. “There are currently very significant pressures on Martin County to develop open space.”

Snedeker also said the farming community is under pressure to sell their farms, even though they might want to keep it in their families.

“The conservation easements are a great incentive for the farmers to keep their farms in the family, and that land would be preserved,” he said.  

Snedeker cautioned about what could happen should the initiative not be approved. 

“Look at what's happened in Palm Beach County … and St. Lucie County, that would happen here,” Snedeker said. “My takeaway is, please don't complain that we have tract housing from one end of Martin County to the other if you shoot this thing down.”

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.