Q&A of the Day – Should Martin County Vote for Martin Forever?
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
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Today’s Entry: Brian, Do you have any thoughts on Martin Forever? Thank you for all you do.
Bottom Line: I'm happy to breakdown the Martin Forever referendum and offer my perspective on it. With that said I think it’s important to disclose upfront that I’m not a Martin County resident and thus will not be voting on this proposal. So, let's dive into what this is about.
Earlier this year the Martin County Commission unanimously approved a referendum for voters to consider this November backed by a Political Action Committee known as Martin County Forever. The organization states its mission is to: acquire and preserve important natural lands in Martin County for the benefit of present and future generations through a voter approved sales tax. So, about that. The referendum seeks to impose a special sales tax for the purpose of raising funds to purchase and preserve what are deemed to be environmentally significant tracts of land in four habitats: Blueways areas, Indian River Lagoon South, Loxahatchee & St. Lucie headwaters, and Pal Mar. The sales tax collection would be a half of one percent up to $5,000 per transaction. Current estimates suggest that if passed, the sales tax increase would raise approximately $18 million annually with a total of $183 million generated over the course of the 10-year term.
And that takes us to how the referendum appears on Martin County ballots.
Martin County Referendum
Title: Lands to Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat One-Half Percent Sales Surtax
Summary: Shall Martin County protect its water quality and unique character by acquiring critical natural lands in Martin County within the Indian River Lagoon South, Pal-Mar, Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters, Blueways areas and provide municipal infrastructure allowed by law, by levying a one-half percent (0.5%) county sales tax for 10 years starting January 1, 2025 with annual audit and citizen oversight.
FOR the one-half percent sales tax
AGAINST the one-half percent sales tax
Firstly, I appreciate and respect the transparency that’s presented with this referendum. Far too often special taxes are sought through deceptive language and marketing schemes a la the reprehensible, and in my opinion, what should be considered illegal, verbiage used by the Palm Beach County School District in their ballot referendum (which I covered Wednesday). There are no games being played by the Martin County Forever PAC, which is to be respected. As a conservationist, my heart is completely behind what is being attempted with this proposal. Development, and specifically overdevelopment, concerns persist all throughout Florida. Martin County has long prided itself on preservation and conservation and in so doing has provided an opportunity to be close to the major metropolitan areas without being blended into them.
Of particular concern are the areas' waterways. Many of us have fought against Lake Okeechobee discharges for years, decades even, and we’ve finally made meaningful progress with the new Army Corps of Engineers operating manual. Many threats to the waterways persist however, and one of the best ways to protect them going forward is to preserve land in proximity to them. This plan seemingly would achieve that objective. Here comes the but...
Affordability concerns are real for all Floridians and certainly Martin County’s residents aren’t immune. Voting to impose a special sales tax only adds to affordability challenges. Also, principally, as a believer in limited government principles, I favor low tax burdens. I’ve personally never voted for a tax increase. I never intended to. As I mentioned at the onset, I’m not a Martin County voter, so this issue isn’t one for me to vote on. I completely understand and respect those who opt to vote for this referendum. I just wouldn’t be among them if given the opportunity.