Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

We have a number of presets today. At 9.05, we'll hear from the public. At 9.30, we'll have an Office of Management and Budget item. At 5.05, we'll have our final budget public hearing. At 5.05, we will have public comment. There are no additional items. There are several requests to withdraw. The first is Consent 9, which is an approval of an interlocal agreement between the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Jupiter. Pardon me consent 12 was a request that Martin County grant for utility easements to South Martin regional utility for the Gomez Petway potable water ma

With those changes, I'll move approval of the agenda.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Let's hear our proclamations first. We'll start off with a proclamation declaring Bible reading week in Martin County.

I have done the Bible reading in the past. Oh, thank you so much. Absolutely, I have.

My husband and I will come. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Our next proclamation is a proclamation declaring Fire Prevention Week in Martin County, Florida.

Our next proclamation is a proclamation declaring Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Martin County, Florida.

Our next proclamation is a proclamation, well, we're going to get a reimbursement from the Florida Inland Navigation District. Minister Daugherty.

We will hear public comment now. The first request to speak forum I have is from John Dial followed by Ann Vandersloot.

Thank you. Ann Vandersloot is next, followed by Yamila Rolan Escalona.

Thank you. Yamila Roland-Escalona is next, followed by Darren Woods. Good morning.

Thank you. Darren Woods is next, followed by T.C. Dukas. Mr. Woods is not present. Mr. Dukas. And Mr. Dukas is the last request to speak for him I have. Good morning.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to address this? And we've come to the end of public comment. We'll now take up brief commissioner comments. Commissioner Vargas.

Yes. I wanted to ask that everyone that can hear me, see me, or is here present to speak with everyone they know or don't know. And please ask them to vote. We are just over 30 days away from our November 3rd election. We had a very dismal 27.8% turnout. In the primary, our supervisor of elections anticipates that that will increase to close to 50%, but that's not enough. Everybody wants to have a say. This is your opportunity. So I am asking you to please be conscientious. Just say, hey, are you registered to vote? It is so simple. It is easy. And they are more than willing, those gals and gu

I went to the groundbreaking for the new Martin County Fairgrounds, which will be right next door to Indian High School on Citrus Boulevard. It was a great event, very exciting. Commissioner Vargas was also there. And we want to applaud the efforts of the board. It looks like they're rocking and rolling and things are moving. We want to be all the encouragement we can for them. It was an exciting evening and a lot of money was pledged, over $50,000. So we're excited about February of 2028 when we'll have a new fairgrounds in Martin County.

Thank you. I would just like to tell the public there is a very important amendment. Amendment 3 is coming up on the November 3rd ballot. The public needs to be educated about the impacts of Amendment 3. The League of Women Voters in Martin County are holding a panel on October 7th. from 6 to 8 at the Unity Church on Central Parkway. It's open to the public and it will be bipartisan. It will be just providing information about Amendment 3. Commissioner Campy.

Madam Chair, thank you very much. We heard briefly about it this morning, and we've talked about it in the past, the ladies that come to discuss it, the dignity bus. I did have an opportunity to go to Vero and see it, and I went with Mr. George Stokas, Michelle Miller, and Carolyn Mockler, some of our county staff, Tony, who runs the source and is responsible for the dignity bus. was very gracious and generous with his time. We were probably there for, it felt like, probably three or four hours. We toured everything that they've been doing in Vero. The bus itself was very, very well done. They

Yeah, I could not make the fairgrounds groundbreaking, but I wish I could because I lend them my full support and encouragement and look forward to them having their first fair in Western Martin County. And I will also congratulate Mr. George Stokas who won this weekend the Business Advocate of the Year, I believe, at the Stuart Martin County Chamber. And on that note, too, I attended a great ribbon-cutting ceremony for Iconics, which is an ammunition primer manufacturer in Indiantown. and speaking of business advocates and businesses in martin counter they're one of the few ammunition primer

Madam Chair, may I also say that Mr. Stokas also received the House of Hope Hope Award this week, last week. He had a big week. He's a two-time award winner in just one week. Good for you. It's a job well done. I'm glad you got a chance to be recognized. Thanks. I know how much you like to have the attention spotlight on you.

Ms. Elder, then we will move on to our 930 preset, which is a resolution authorizing the lease purchase financing for the acquisition of fire equipment. Ms. Murley.

Questions? Ms. Murley, the public, the ambulance fee revenues are not fixed. So what if there's a shortage, a shortfall in the ambulance fee revenues and we collect half as many as we hope, then how are the lease payments to be made?

And what is the amount of annual ambulance fees that we're predicting to collect for seven years?

And what are public emergency medical transportation reimbursements?

And there's no danger of that funding being scrapped?

You have more faith in federal reimbursements than I do.

I'm very concerned about this because you're depending on the federal government, already $40 trillion in debt. And we spoke about this at a meeting recently, the three of you were in the meeting. This is a big ask. This is a big ask. You're depending on Ad Valorem in the event that the ambulance fees don't cover. We're in a year where we should not be counting on any ad valorem at all to prop up whatever you're asking for or any other department. So I'm not in favor of this at all. This is tenuous. This is like a three-legged stool.

Okay. Well, you're asking for this amount for four trucks, correct? All right, 10 trucks. How about half that amount since you can stagger it? Again, I'm not going to repeat my comments. We had a big discussion about this. We've talked about this before also. Everybody is having to make cuts, including our taxpayers, those that support our government.

I think it's important. We want to support you, but we're not an endless spigot. We are not at all. I'm feeling it also. So I cut my home, too. I appreciate it. I really do. If you could go back to the table, and we can have another discussion. Okay? That's my opinion.

Thank you very much. I appreciate your, as another example of Mr. Resch and the department figuring out clever and innovative ways to meet the requirements that the county demands and expects. Yes, the taxpayers will pay for this equipment, but it'll also be the beneficiary of the equipment. As you said, you have about 20 years' worth of information that says ambulance fees are not going down, not going to be one of those sources. Sadly, it would be great if ambulance fees and the collection of ambulance would mean that people didn't have to rely on taking an ambulance as often, so I think You

Recently, you provided a statistic on what the trucks were costing in, say, 2019, 2020, and what they're costing. Can you bring that to our attention again?

Almost, well, more than doubled the price in the last five years. Yeah. Thank you for your efforts. Commissioner Vargas.

Okay, again, we should quantify rather than fluffy words because some of us, not myself, like to emulate without having hard figures. It's all about hard figures. It really is. These are times when all of us need to pull in our belts, all of us. And if you don't and you just suspend thrift, well, then that's what you propose, what one proposes. Having said that, Madam Chair, there's a motion to approve. May I make a motion to not or?

We have a motion and a second already. Vote on this one first.

Well, I'm asking if I can make a motion, Ms. Elder, to not approve the 10 trucks.

What is your budget this year, Chief, the dollar amount? Okay. Can't you find this money in the $80 million, start cutting somewhere else?

I would suggest you go line by line. I did on your budget. And there are places where you could start to pull in.

So if you want to make a substitute motion, you certainly can.

Yes, I make a motion that we are not going to approve the 10 trucks and the other supplies that were requested at this time. We are over 30 days just out to a big election, this is not the time to be making decisions that could affect the pocketbooks of our taxpayers. This is not the time to do that. So I make a motion to deny this at this moment. We can revisit it again, depending on what happens after November. And take another look at your budget, too.

There's a motion. Is there a second? Seeing none, we will vote on the motion that's on the floor, which is to approve staff's recommendation. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now we're going to take a break.

Ms. Murley, what's the difference between seven and eight?

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. We now will take an early break for 10 minutes so that we can sign some papers. Commissioners, we're going to need your signatures too. We are back on air, and we need approval for the consent agenda.

I move approval of the consent agenda. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Shall we take up B and C1, which is an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee appointment?

I'll move approval of Chester Edwards, Michael Dooley, and Sarah Jessica Hernandez.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thanks. Take up. Public hearing number one, which is a public hearing on the proposed Martin County Trico settlement. Pamela Sheldon White versus Martin County Board of County Commissioners.

Questions? No vote? Okay. Commissioner Vargas?

Yeah. Just so that everyone can hear, what happens, and this might be a question for Mr. Donaldson, when we have a county vehicle that is in a mishap such as this, what happens here? at administration for that employee?

Okay. So that becomes part of the record of the employee. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay.

Any further comments, questions? Thank you. We'll move on to public hearing number two, which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 163, Article 2 and Article 3, health care for indigence, general ordinances, Martin County Code. Good morning.

So as my understanding, and I was aware of this before I had the conversation with Mr. Donaldson the other day, if I were an indigent individual, yet I owned real estate, real property, something of value in that regard, then there could be a lien placed on that property. Easy to collect? Difficult to collect?

Yes, I'm familiar how careful you are and following the dictum for granting monies to those that request, which I appreciate. And so you would obviously have to go through a qualification with the individuals. Yes. Okay. Even if they're emergency care, they went to the hospital, hospital bill needs to be paid, how would that work?

I understand hospitals have to care for patients regardless one way or the other, but they're trying to make, with the social worker, trying to make the provisions for that patient to move forward beyond that difficult situation. I understand what you're saying.

Any further questions? Is there a motion? Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. We will move on to DPQJ number one. which is an Article 10 appeal, reconsideration of Article 10 appeal by Corey Beaton regarding denial of building permit for the construction of a single-family residence. This is quasi-judicial. Any ex parte disclosures? Commissioner Vargas?

If I have any, that report has been filed.

If I have any, they've been filed. And Commissioner Campy? And Commissioner Hetherington? If any, they've been filed. Let's see. Anyone who's going to be providing sworn testimony? Yep. Stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in.

Are you asking to re- then the Article 10 appeal would go back to the administration for re-hearing?

OK, so do we now go on to the appellant presentation?

I don't even know where to start for questions because there was some, in my mind, what I heard, and I think other commissioners heard, is that you pay $269,000 in taxes. I'm like, oh, my gosh, it's agricultural zoning. How did this happen? But that's over 25 years that I have. You know, I have a restricted record right here. The other thing is, having lived on the water, You know, I couldn't do anything without the state's approval to build a dock or anything, put new riprap in, nothing, nothing. I'm from Florida, so I totally get all of this. But my understanding, and I look to Ms. Elder and

I understand you have agricultural zoning. However, you're putting a single family home. Are you planning on having cattle?

Commissioner Vargas, do you have any further questions?

The other properties that were issued their building permit, were they A1 zoning or did they rezone to RE1A?

Ms. Elder. Yes. Your light's on. No, that's Jonathan. Sorry.

Based on those comments, Mr. Donaldson and Mr. Beaton, right? So the 4.1E4, I think that's the policy you stated, says that it's the boundary that's to be considered.

So when you considered, even though you said the surveyor may have, you know, but he relied upon a survey that then set the boundary, right?

And secondly, can you explain the claim? So if you rely upon the boundary, which this property owner now has a vested right because he's relied upon all the due diligence materials, including the boundary survey, the title. and says that if a claim is to be made by the state, then they can take that claim up with the property owner. By all means. So if the state disagrees with us and says that they are going to claim that, then they can take that up with the property owner. So it's our job, to me, is establish he has a vested right. He purchased the property. He did his due diligence. He relie

Thank you. Excuse me. Sir, you mentioned that there were three parcels in your neighborhood or your street or whatever that were able to do that. Mr. Schilling mentioned one. Can you tell me what the other two are?

You need the addresses. I'm just trying to let us see.

Less than, what's the acreage of that, 1990?

In 2023, what was the dry acreage of that?

Thank you. Mr. Schilling, you just heard what he said. I know you mentioned the 2023 one, and you, this time, like last time, you were very forthcoming, and I appreciate that, that it was an error or mistake. Are you familiar with the 2016 and the 1984 ones?

Okay. But this is 2016 and 1984, not in the 50s. You're speaking generally, correct? Yes, sir. Not specifically of this area? Yes, sir.

Correct. So that being said, if And I hear what you're saying, and I've been involved in some of those situations, especially after the fact. But you're not necessarily disputing that there is a 2023 one you agreed, there could potentially be a 2016 one, and there could potentially be a 1984 one we're taking. He's been sworn in. He's on the record. These three could be his neighbor's homes, correct?

One second. I'm just weighing in on the fact of if this had happened three times on his block, not anywhere else in the county, but on his block, and he's purchasing, and the 2023 one, it seems like he's done his research. If he was closing two weeks after that approval happened, and he did his due diligence, and he saw that, yes, someone with a 1.6-acre lot dry was able to build their home, and he then took that into consideration to decide, hey, I will buy this property and build it. You know, a caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. I believe that, in my opinion, he was aware. And he was bein

Commissioners, this is all very interesting and very anecdotal, and it's so far outside the scope of this proceeding.

You know, we're devolving just as we did the last one. Instead of doing, we're being asked a very, very basic decision to make based upon the evidence that's provided, and we just keep going down these rabbit holes. that are completely irrelevant to this proceeding. So please concentrate on the task that we have been assigned today, which is to determine whether or not Mr. Donaldson considered all the evidence and made a decision and what, we don't have the ability to make this final decision.

So the staff recommendation on page 855 is move that the board remand building permit number BLD2025080317 back to staff to review the newly discovered information with Mr. Beaton. So that's not a final decision, right?

May I ask, if you remand this back to you, I feel like this is a ping pong ball and we've done this three times. If I remand that back to you, are you going to then instruct him to rezone it or are you going to take in additional evidence to issue a building permit? Because if you just simply we remand it back to you, and then you tell Mr. Beaton to rezone it, we've not made any progress in the last three meetings we've had. So what's the resolution for him to get his building permit other than rezoning? Are you going to take more evidence in and hear the Article 10 or 12 all over again? If we

That's why I'm uncomfortable with remanding it back because I don't see any resolution. Are you going to come up with a different determination? I'd like to see this resolved and Mr. Beaton be able to move along with his building permit and build his house. So could I, did you make a motion already? Well, apparently earlier we could make a substitute motion. So can I make a substitute motion? So I would like to refer back to the original motion. Somebody might have to, either the clerk or Ms. Elder, when we originally made the decision and it was voted on three to two to reject the

It was to decide that Mr. Donaldson or the Article 12 had been heard. And we did not agree that all the evidence was taken into account. And in addition to that, we instructed the building permit to be issued. So that's the motion that I would make.

Commissioner Vargas. I would like Commissioner Capps to please repeat the motion that you made so that I can understand. There's been a whole lot of dialogue here.

No problem. It's just staff recommendation on page 855. Move that the board remand building permit number BLD 2025080317 back to staff to review. the newly discovered information with Mr. Beaton.

Talk with the staff. We want to see your home built for you and your lovely wife and your beautiful children there. We do. But we're just trying to come to a resolution as quickly as possible so you can move on with your life instead of calling you back here. Or are you going to court?

Ms. Elder, there is a request to speak from the public.

Just to remind everyone that when this came up originally I had requested that it be sent back to staff and Mr. Donaldson very forthcomingly said there would be no reason to do that because he felt that the response, the result would be the same. That was what my motion was. And then my hand was forced to say, which I agree, commissioners and this board should not be issuing building permits, but I would need to have some reassurance that he's not just going through a process. Even after this was voted to be reconsidered, weeks have passed. There has been some dialogue. I'm looking at our staf

Ms. Elder, if I pass the gavel and second Commissioner Capp's motion, which motion is voted on first?

We'll take up Commissioner Hetherington's motion. Yes. So she's essentially saying that we are going to substitute our judgment for staff's and issue a building permit.

Is that what you said? Correct. I actually said that I didn't believe due process was followed. And In addition to that, since there seems to be no resolution to issue the building permit, so I reject, accept the Article 12 appeal, 10 appeal, do not believe a due process was followed, and the building permit should be issued. That's my motion.

Okay. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed? Opposed. That motion fails. Two to three with Commissioners Hurd, Capps, and Vargas dissenting. We'll now take up the other motion, which is Commissioner Capps to remand. All those in favor?

Just so we're doing it the right way. Are you seconding it? We have a motion by Commissioner Capp, seconded by Commissioner Hurd, that is to staff's recommendation. Correct, Commissioner Capp? All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 3-2 with Commissioners Campy and Heathering dissenting.

Thank you, Mr. Beaton. We will now take up Department 1, Office of Management and Budget Items, which require board approval.

So go back to that. So the down payment is being made with one-time excess funds. And yet we're going to use that down payment in order to do a lease purchase agreement, which is going to require continuing funding?

Okay, so they're going to take, in order to make the down payment, they're using a one-time excess funding. That's my understanding. And then they're going to rely upon how much in ad valorem each year in order to execute the lease purchase?

counting on something that may not appear.

I wish somebody was here from the sheriff's office.

Can we remove that particular item and bring that forward? I think it would be wise. I think it would be very prudent to do that at this point. OK.

And I also don't understand this. There's 1.6 additional dollars in health insurance? From where?

I have a question on number six, which is the a grant award of $10,000 to access parcel for redevelopment of current non-aeronautical for aviation use on the airport. Mr. Bean, can you explain what this agenda item is?

And are we going to reassess the intended use?

We're going to redevelop it as from non-aeronautical to aeronautical.

And is there either taxi or runway access?

So that's the taxiway that's just to the east of Witham Aero Club? And that's also the one that the flight schools use? Yes. Are there rules governing how much – I mean, that's a lot of use. That's a lot of people using – I know that when the flight school started using that – taxiway, it was problematic for the owners with the Merrill Club. And now we're going to add another 12 acres?

Questions, comments, motions, commissioners?

Thank you. I hear your concerns and I understand that it would have been potentially more beneficial to have someone here from the Sheriff's Office, but like many things in the past, they've reviewed this with their staff. Ms. Murley and her staff has reviewed this. I'm sure their legal or our legal have reviewed this and I am comfortable with the thought process that brought these items before us today, and I wouldn't want to, on basic anecdotal information, try to substitute my opinion of what the sheriff and his people think needs to happen here. I'd make a motion for the complete presentat

I would rather that you not do that, because then I'm going to vote against the entire package.

I will make a motion for the presentation less number six.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Now I would make a motion for number six.

Second. Approve number six. There's a motion and a second. Commissioner Capps?

What would be the consequences to delaying number six?

I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE POSTPONE IT UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON SO THAT THE SHERIFF CAN SEND A REPRESENTATIVE HERE TO EXPLAIN IT FURTHER.

THERE ARE LIGHTS ON. DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT OR IS THE NEW MOTION TAKE CARE OF YOUR QUESTIONS?

YEAH, I'LL SECOND COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL'S MOTION. OKAY.

COMMISSIONER VARGAS? NO, I JUST WANTED TO BE SURE. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE REMOVING THIS. from this vote right now.

So I make a motion that we approve item six.

I took it out of it, remember? No. And then we motioned that. Listen, we took it out of the motion. So it wasn't there when we voted on it. So now I'm making a motion that we approve number six.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Now I make a reconsideration of my motion that approved the entire remainder of this agenda item. Second.

We have a motion and a second for reconsideration.

There's a motion and a second for reconsideration. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Now I make a motion that we approve all of the agenda items except for letter D. 11D. And we will bring it back this afternoon at 5 during our budget presentation, and we'll have someone from the Sheriff's Office to explain it in more detail.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Keeping us straight here. Department 2 is contracts that meet the threshold for board approval of $1 million or more. Ms. Brotherton.

Questions? Is there a motion to move staff's recommendation? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Department 3 is a request to amend the Martin County Comprehensive Planning and Growth Management Development Review fee schedules based on legislative mandates. Good morning, Ms. Nobby.

So going to qualified contractor consultation services, do we have that list? Who provides us the list of the qualified contractors' consultants?

And it's still an administrative approval just like a minor is?

Commissioner Vargas. We don't vet. We don't screen. The applicant says, here, here's my qualified contractor or the firm, and then they work with you directly. Is that my understanding? Am I correct on that?

Okay, but they're representing the applicant, never Martin County.

But it has to be expeditious within 30 days. And I know you just clear your desks to make sure it gets done. Sorry about that. That's okay.

Staff Dias, that's you, Mr. Walden. I believe so. Any further questions? Chairwoman was asking a question. Was that light yours?

Motion to accept staff's recommendation.

Okay. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. You heard that, right? I made that motion. We've come to the end of this portion of our agenda. I do have two public requests to speak, and I'll allow them. Mr. Erler, would you like to address us? And another one by Corey Beaton.

Mr. Beaton. You'll have three minutes, Mr. B.

Thank you. Commissioners, we are going to take up our budget hearing at 5.05. And I think that it would be prudent to come back at maybe Five till five to take up the sheriff helicopter item. Let's dispose of that before we take up the budget. Yeah, that sounds great. So we are finished with our work until then. So let's reconvene or return at approximately five till five.

September 29th, 2026. We are continuing an item that we left off earlier today, and that is in Department 1, Department 3. Department 1, it was Item 11D. It was about a sheriff's helicopter in the intervening hours in between the time that the meeting ended this morning and now. I talked with the sheriff. My concerns are allayed. I believe the sheriff talked to you too, Commissioner Capps, and the sheriff attempted to talk to you, Commissioner Vargas. Okay. Did you meet or talk to the sheriff? I did. He called me. Okay. Are you satisfied?

Well, it was already voted for prior to me getting here. They put aside money for this, so that's where I am.

So you want to summarize what this item is about?

Second. Any further discussion? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. We'll now take up public comment. The first request to speak form I have is from Olivia Lockwood, followed by Maureen Killian. Good afternoon.

Maureen Keelian is next. And Ms. Keelian is the last request to speak, I have. Unless, Ethan, you want to address us? You were number one last week.

You know what they say, not to follow kids or pets.

Thank you. Miss Murley, would you like to kick it off?

Would anyone from the public like to address this? Then we will.

Okay, Commissioners, you want to begin resolutions? Our designated reader? Sure. I hope we have a light. Commissioner Hetherington. Yes.

I have one change for Ms. Farley. I had listened to some residents of District 2 and heard the belt tightening talk, and I would like to, although we did the rollback rate, We did the rollback rate originally. I would like to set my millage to zero.

You want to do it at the time? We can do it at the resolution. Anybody else? Then we will begin.

I move to adopt the final millage for Board of County Commissioners countywide. Rollback rate 6.2683. Percentage of increase over rollback rate 4.68. Final millage rate 6.5614. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion carries four to one with Commissioner Vargas dissenting. Sign them as we go. You want me to hand them to you? Or you'll wait? Yeah.

Move to adopt the final budget for Board of County Commissioners countywide. Fund total $334,395,217. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final millage of District 1 MSTU rollback rate of 0.0643%. of increase over the rollback rate negative 0.93 with a final millage rate of 0.0637. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt a final budget for District 1 MSTU.

No. I'll restate it. Move to adopt a final budget for District 1 MSTU, $372,909. Second. There's a motion and a second.

Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt the final millage for District 2, MSTU, rollback rate 0.0713. Percentage of increase over the rollback rate negative 100%. Final millage rate 0.000.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt a final millage for District 2, MSTU, rollback rate Oh, no, that was the second one. Yes, yes, yes. I got it. There was two there. Move to adopt a final budget for District 2 MSTU fund total $0.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt the final millage for District 3, MSTU, rollback rate 0.0383. Percentage of increased rollback over rollback rate is negative 1.31, with a final millage rate of 0.0378. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for District 3, MSTU, fund total $324,881. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final millage rate for District 4, MSTU, rollback rate 0.0463, percentage of increase over the rollback rate negative 2.81. Final millage rate 0.0450. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt the final millage rate for District 4 MSTU fund total $214,038. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt a final millage for District 5 MSTU, rollback rate 0.0648, percentage of increase over the rollback rate negative 2.01, final millage rate 0.0635. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt the final budget for District 5 MSTU, fund total $370,000.

Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes unanimously.

Move to adopt the final millage rate for Special District A61 Hutchinson Island MSTU. Rollback rate 0.1732. Percentage of increase rolled back rate 3.87. Final millage rate 0.1799. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for special taxing, special district A61, Hutchinson Island, MSTU. Fund total $439,159. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final millage rate for county fire and rescue unincorporated MSTU. Rollback rate 2.5353. Percentage of increase over rollback rate, 4.04. Final millage rate, 2.6376. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for County Fire Rescue Unincorporated, MSTU. Fund total, $90,105,720. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final millage for Parks and Rec, MSTU. Rollback rate of 0.1415. Percentage of increase over the rollback rate, 4.17%. final millage rate 0.1474. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for Parks and Recreation MSDU, fund total $4,598,946. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final millage rate for county stormwater and road maintenance, MSTU, in unincorporated. Rollback rate of 0.5494. Percentage of increase over the rollback rate, 4.15. Final millage rate, 0.5722. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final budget for County Stormwater and Road Maintenance, MSTU, Unincorporated. Fund total $16,614,596. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for General Unincorporated. Fund total $8,296,433.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final budget for building and permitting. Fund total $9,492,356. Thank you. There's a motion and a second.

That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final budget for non-taxing fund impact fees. Fund total, $3,926,105. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt final budget for special revenue. Fund total, $34,650,023. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for grants. Fund total, $2,687,286. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for other debt service. Fund total, $9,692,582. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final budget for other capital projects. Fund total $34,425,055. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1. Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt final budget for utility enterprises. Fund total, $131,819,847. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting. Move to adopt the final budget for solid waste enterprise. Fund total, $54,164,524. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1. Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for airport enterprise. Fund total, $4,168,189. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt a final budget for Golf Course Enterprise, fund total $3,771,000. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for internal services. Fund total, $49,130,723. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for trusts. Fund balance, $85,000. Second.

There's a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Move to adopt the final budget for community redevelopment area trusts. Fund total $10,638,336. Second. There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas.

And that means we are at the halfway point. That's correct.

Thank you. I just wanted to address one of the speakers that spoke earlier, Ms. Killian, to say that at this late stage of the process, the budget had been worked through for several, several months, but I will make a commitment. I received your email, and I think there are ways that we can work to do some redistributing to address some of the issues that you meant. It's something that staff and the commissioners had been working on. Some of the budgets that come from the constitutionals are handled at that level. So but for the things that we're able to do, I agree that there is a humanitaria

For our 4-H friends, What we can say is, with clarity, is that you got your budget this year. So that is right. Ms. Murley?

That is correct. You're in good shape. Yeah, we planned on cutting it to zero, but based on what you said, we had to put it back.

So good for you. I have one other thought. Back to page 528, where it says Martin County's budget has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 28th year and has received special recognition for our financial policies from the Government Finance Officers Association for the third consecutive year. Perhaps you could just give us a few of the highlights of our financial policy.

Thank you. I think all of us have received e-mails where people in the public have questioned the process and how we've handled it up here, why we don't ask, get in-depth. It's a long, multiple-step process that started at the beginning of the year publicly, but the staff works on it year-round. And Mr. Donaldson will make a pitch. Then it has to go through legal, and then it goes through our Office of Budget and that staff. And then we happen to be fortunate she is here, a clerk of the court and comptroller, Carolyn Timmon is here, and her professional staff. By the time it works its way all

Yes, I would. I saw this quote the other day and it really resonated with me. And thank you very much. You're always very professional, you and your team. So kudos to you. And I do mean that sincerely. Sailors prepare for a storm before the storm comes at sea. Amendment 3 may be that storm coming in November. As commissioners many years ago, they should have passed and practiced fiscal responsibility. Some of the folks here, some of the commissioners have been here for years. Not certain why they haven't made it a top priority. We are where we are right now. The expenses are too high in Martin

Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Capps, any final comments?

I would just like to thank staff for a wonderful job. I know you guys work hard on this all year. So I have great confidence. And you, Ms. Murley, and your staff, you guys do a great job. And I just want to thank you. I want to thank the heads of all the departments for coming in reasonably and conservatively this year. And I think you read the room well and you guys responded well to that sentiment. And I would just like to note and re-emphasize that we are not really raising the millage rates. And the BOCC is only asking for two more people. We, when it comes to full-time equivalent employee

And I also want to thank the advocates for 4-H and for the IFAS And the Master Gardeners, it was wonderful of you to attend these rather dry hearings and express support for the programs that you cherish. And we think that they're important, too, so we will continue to do the best that we can to fund the wonderful things. The children who have spoken at public comment were so well spoken.

And I also want to thank our Office of Management and Budget staff. They are peerless. I know that every department head goes in preparing their initial budget with Ms. Murley, and Ms. Murley is, I'm sure, very stern from the outset and says, you know, the board will not approve this budget. Trim it. And they all are responsive. And also, there are no weak links in the Office of Management and Budget. You can go in there and query any one of the ladies on the staff. And they're all so responsive and so professional. So thank you very much. Mr. Campy. I'm upset. Commissioner Hetherington.

I also want to say thank you to 4-H. You truly are the leaders of the future. So thank you all for coming and participating. And to staff, Ms. Murley, and the entire OMB office, truly professionals. And it's been a tremendous pleasure always working with you.

I will gladly move approval of your strategic plan.

There's a motion in the second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. That motion passes 4-1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.

Commissioner Campy. Is that something you want to talk about now or no?

I'm not in favor of adding a budget for that. I happened to recently visit an area of the country where they had in one county 220 data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia. I did it on my own dime. I don't think after the budget hearing we should talk about, hey, how can we put another little package together? You want to go see a data center? Go see a data center.