IN YOUR CORNER

Last week your Taxpayer’s Association Board members had a chance to evaluate Martin County’s 2007 Capital Improvement Plan as it began to move through the approval process. This plan looks at a 10-year window into the future to program and prioritize the County’s major capital improvement projects such as roads, parks and buildings. It does not include County operating costs, or School Board funding for schools and other projects.

It is difficult for us to make detailed recommendations without the knowledge provided by County staff. Also, we cannot presume to substitute our judgment for the Commissioners in deciding what is best for the citizens that elected them. Given those caveats, here are a few of our specific comments and questions, which have been presented in much greater number and detail to the County Commission:

GENERAL:

The CIP expenditures do not balance with expected revenues because every project requested by the various Department Heads were included. Many of those “wish list” projects are unfunded. They were included to give the Commission a sense of its Staff’s priorities. In 2007 alone the CIP is almost $100 million, including $34,592,266 of unfunded requests. By FY 2016 this grows to over $225 million with a deficit of nearly $120 million. For the entire 10-year period the CIP is $834.2 million with an indicated deficit of $186 million, or over 22%. Only one year (2011) has a projected surplus, and that is only $1 million. This is AFTER inclusion of approximately $75 million in loans/bonds between now and 2011 and over $100 million in “grants” and $30 million in “developer donations” between 2011 and 2016. We know that projections, especially in the later years, are difficult. However, the CIP should be balanced using the best assumptions possible. We cannot support planned deficit spending, or excessive borrowing to support that spending.

AIRPORT: Budget for FY 2007 = $7,235,000; thru FY 2016 = $26,900,000

Funded by Grants (FAA) and user fees.

We wonder if the land within the airport boundary is being used to its fullest potential. There appears to be a lot of under-utilized County property within the airport area. Could that be used to generate additional revenue or provide a location for other County assets?

FIRE/EMS : Budget for FY 2007= $2,267,875; thru FY 2016 = $41,400,000 Funded by property taxes and impact fees.

Our members believe that Martin County has a top notch Fire/EMS Department. At the same time we continue to be concerned with some of the premises that drive their operations and requirements. Responding to every fender bender with both an Ambulance and Fire Engine seems excessive, especially considering the price and cost of operating this equipment. We also wonder if the Fire/EMS shifts could not reflect those of the Sheriff’s Office so that living facilities could be eliminated and the stunning costs of new Fire Stations reduced.

The planned location of the new Fire/EMS facilities is good. However, some examples included in the budget are costs of $253 per square foot (sf) for a garage, $518.50 per sf for renovation of Station #32, and $744 per sf to remodel the Ridgeway Station. These are very high numbers. We suggest that the Commission establish an Oversight Committee composed of local Architects, Engineers and Contractors to review these proposed plans, specifications and bids. We cannot support this budget if those costs are correct.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Budget for FY 2007 is $1,026,500; thru FY 2016 is $15,500,000 - funded by property taxes and impact fees.

We wonder if the Sheriff can find a way to use the vacant new State Correction facility on CR 609 to house already sentenced, low risk inmates and avoid an expensive expansion of the existing jail. Is the proposed 875-sf hardened garage a duplicate of, or planned to be complementary to one in the Fire/EMS budget?

PARKS: Budget for FY 2007 is $6,474,558; thru FY 2016 is $75,500,000 - funded by property taxes and impact fees.

Martin County’s Park System far exceeds what should be expected from a County of our size and population. This Department is building a great park system. Thank you, but please remember to factor in what we can afford in your planning, and review the many comments, suggestions and questions we provided.

As you read this please note that the 2007 CIP budget is only about ¼ of the approximately $400,000,000 that will be spent by Martin County next year. It is, however, almost $700 for every man woman and child in the County. Please let your elected representatives know your priorities and concerns for the effective use of that (your) money.