In Your Corner

By the Martin County Taxpayers' Association 2/26/00

In an earlier column, we wrote about the purchase of park land in Palm City. This tract was purchased with what we considered unseemly haste. The appraisal on which the purchase price was based was not on file for public review before the vote, a breach of law if the commission had not voted unanimously to buy the property. In fact this appraisal is not on file anywhere that we can find, and we have looked. The price paid for usable land far exceeds the value of similar land in the area.

Now it seems that residents of the area were not consulted, or not to any great degree. They have raised questions about lighting, traffic, and the need for a park in this area; these are all questions that should have been answered before Taxpayer money was spent. One taxpayer stated that this purchase appears to be the work of one commissioner and we agree, we just wonder why the other four went along with this action which seems to violate most of the principles of good government.

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The school district currently will collect about $10 million per year from property taxes, and ascending to the latest studies that is more than enough to meet the projected capital expenses of the district. No need for impact fees, and these fees can only be collected if there is a need, and present residents will continue to subsidize new arrivals. We do not think this is fair.

Were the school board to reduce their property tax to the point where it would pay for only the growth statistically expected from present residents, an impact fee could realistically be charged to pay for growth above that figure. The School District should start now to collect accurate figures to determine what part of projected growth should be funded by new residents. To do less is to continue the unfair tax burden present residents now pay.

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The legal action taken by the county to prevent the annexation of county land into the city of Stuart cost the taxpayers in Stuart about $300,000. According to the county, their legal expenses have amounted to about half that, $152,841.25. This is unusual since the county initiated the legal action, and we doubt if this included staff time. Now the county is preparing to appeal the latest ruling without any visible reason to hope for success and with every reason to think it will involve more Taxpayer money down the drain.

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An attack of sanity occurred at the last Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting. Everyone accepted the state-suggested design for the new Lyons Bridge, a design very similar to the one refused earlier. It appears that there will be no legal action, no additional studies, and no need for consultants. Taxpayers will get the least expensive and most useful bridge. We think neither the State or County authorities covered themselves with glory here, but now everyone appears to be happy with the aesthetics of the accepted design.

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Joseph and Permelia Reed became active in Martin County shortly after their family purchased 2,000 acres of Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound in 1933. The couple assumed a leadership role in the management of the Jupiter Island Club and formed the Jupiter Island Residents' Association, which hired a police force, firefighters, and organized garbage and trash collection. Early in the 1950's the residents of Jupiter Island became increasingly unhappy with the tax situation in Martin County and won support to incorporate the Town of Jupiter Island. During that same time period, Joseph and Permelia Reed saw a need for more government interaction at the local level and they chartered the Martin County Taxpayers' Association, a not-for-profit government watchdog group.

Since its inception on January 24, 1950, the Martin County Taxpayers' Association has followed the principles of its founding members and worked closely with officials to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability in local government. To commemorate fifty years of government "watchdog" activities a 50-Year Jubilee is scheduled to be held Thursday, March 16, 2000 at the Hobe Sound Golf Club.

The keynote speaker, Mr. Nathaniel P. Reed, son of founding members Joseph and Permelia Reed, will present "An Evening of Reflection". Mr. Reed is involved in every aspect of Florida's environmental problems and has served six Florida governors in that capacity. In 1971, he was appointed by President Nixon as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and was re-appointed by President Ford.

The public is encouraged to attend this interesting and entertaining presentation. Tickets are $25 per person and reservations are required by March 10, 2000. Cocktails begin at 6:30 PM followed by a prime rib dinner at 7:30 PM.

W e encourage your comments, criticisms, ideas, or any questions about how your taxes work; call or fax 288-0474 or write to us at PO Box 741, Stuart, FL 34995 or e-mail us at admin@mctaxpayers.org or visit our WEB site, mctaxpayers.org.