We hear a lot about defending the Comprehensive Plan.  Seldom do we hear that defending the Plan means also doing what it says.  For example, the Plan requires public infrastructure such as roads and bridges be built commensurate with public and private growth.  Sometimes County Commissioners seem to forget that these improvements are required.  They are not optional.

Infrastructure required by the Comprehensive Plan cannot be delayed unless a growth moratorium is declared.  There is no relief during a moratorium, because it is a limited time in which the County must plan and fund the same improvements whose delay created the moratorium.

The Indian Street Bridge, Green River Parkway and Willoughby Extension (north through Stuart) are required by the Comp Plan.  The first two have been in the Plan for more than 20 years.  They are necessary.  We have charged impacts fees for building permits in order to build new roads and must either spend these dollars on necessary improvements or give the money back after six years.

Public construction of required infrastructure must match the private construction allowed by the Comp Plan or our quality of life declines.  Many residents probably do not realize that the current, and to many of us unacceptable, traffic conditions were predicted decades ago in the Plan, and the solutions are also in the Comp Plan. 

The Indian Street Bridge and Green River Parkway/Willoughby Extension should be open by now and improving traffic.  Failure to build these public improvements is both irresponsible and in conflict with our Plan.  We trust that our Commissioners will defend all of the Plan, not just the parts that are easy or politically advantageous.

**

The County Board of County Commissioners is hearing a MCTA proposal on Fiscal Policy Tuesday, March 16.  After years of trying to help the County control spending by working on the myriad details within its massive budget, we are trying something new.

Our proposals include strengthening many sections of Fiscal Policy and adding two new sections.  The Fiscal Policy, established by the Board, is critical because it sets the rules by which staff drafts the annual operating and capital budgets.

In one new section, we request the County make it a policy that all county employees be treated equally with respect to increases in pay and benefits.  We believe all employees should receive an annual cost of living adjustment, even though this is by no means standard in private industry.  We also believe all employees should be eligible for merit increases, but that merit increase should be based on precisely that, merit -- not guaranteed to everyone equally as are the standard annual "steps" being provided now.  

We believe all employee classes should receive a wage commensurate with the market, but that benefits count along with wages.  Unfortunately, the disparity between public and private benefits is growing while the disparity between public and private wages is shrinking or are gone, so the total package must be considered.

We also request the County adopt a policy that addresses increases in Ad Valorem revenue as real estate valuation increases, so that when additional property tax revenues exceed the annual CPI, at least half of the extra revenues be returned to taxpayers by rolling millage back.   This is a very important policy.  Recent increases in real estate values in Martin County have been providing windfall revenues and these revenues are being spent.  But real estate values will not always increase, sooner or later they will be flat or even decline.  Practicing the small amount of fiscal conservatism we request is not only the right thing to do for taxpayers, it protects government services in the future by assuring that when we hit a fiscal rough spot in the road, taxpayers and government will have the resources to deal with it.

Our Fiscal Policy recommendations are posted on our web page.  The current County Fiscal Policy is posted on their web page.  We look forward to working with the County and making progress in this area.