IN YOUR CORNER

In the weeks before our first hurricane this column discussed your Taxpayer’s Association’s problems with the one percent sales-tax referendum approved by the Martin County Commission in July. At the time, our opposition centered on the lack of specifics for use of the money. We believe that the Commission must not only specify a percentage of the conservation land that will be inside or outside the Urban Services Boundary, but more fundamentally, commit to a complete update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan as part of the process. Specifically, we propose that any second “Lands for You” program become part of a long overdue modernization of the Plan that looks at the county’s total population potential and distribution. In short, while we generally agreed with the intent, our endorsement was withheld pending additional definition by the Commission.

Mother Nature has now made the specifics of the program a mute point. After suffering two damaging hurricanes and a tropical storm in less than one month, affordability is now the overriding issue. At this time, no one knows how much long-term damage will be done to the local economy by this unprecedented nexus of events. We do know that significant short-term damage has occurred and the rapidly inflating property values local governments have counted on will now have to be adjusted downward. These events already portend increases in our property taxes just to stay even, with millions of dollars of infrastructure damage still to be accounted for. This is certainly not a favorable environment to take another $20+ million dollars per year out of our citizens’ pockets for environmental lands and recreation. Many are already struggling with costly damage to their homes and businesses, and a sales tax is, by definition, regressive and inordinately affects those least able to pay.

To their credit, several proponents of the program have already publicly advocated delay of the referendum. This attitude has not been universal and others have indicated they will make a maximum effort to secure passage. Unfortunately, the deadline for changing the ballot has already passed and absentee ballots have been mailed. This opens the possibility of voters passing a three year, $60-70 million dollar tax whose use is not only inadequately planned, but now totally inappropriate. VOTE “NO” ON NOVEMBER 2 nd WITH REGARD TO THE 1% INFRASTRUCTURE SALES SURTAX REFERENDUM!

**

The County’s recent decision to move hurricane debris handling and disposal to the Allapattah Ranch site has produced some controversy. Having looked into the issue we offer the following thoughts.

The Ranch is not restored to native habitat. There are thousands of acres of improved pasture out there. Using 200 acres of open pasture for an emergency public purpose is sensible and reasonable.

The piling and burning of debris will not produce long-term effects. Martin County can easily restore the area to pasture after the process is over, or even better, begin the restoration to native habitat.

The decision to move to public property was made after FEMA objected to the original burn contractor’s procedures on private property. Disputes with FEMA can be very expensive to local taxpayers. A second private land location was secured, but the County then decided to avoid the risk of compounding a potentially expensive FEMA payment dispute by going to the Allapattah Ranch. This decision will save money and reduce risk, and we applaud the County taking prompt and effective action.