Unlike the federal government, Martin County has officially set their budget for FY 2024.

Last evenings marathon meeting was hard to stomach. The massive $635 million budget may have been jarring, but the level of us vs. them infighting was the nauseating part. It is disappointing how quickly we devolved into that muck.

Going back two weeks, the commission tasked the County Administrator to identify $8 million in cuts- to achieve a 0% millage increase year over year. Mr. Donaldson did just that, and some more. Approximately $800,000 more. The very first option presented was to grants and aides, a less than $1m line item that was presented as “optional”, as all other proposed cuts would achieve the intended goal. A full house, many of whom were representative of the not for profits, crowded the chamber to advocate for their charity. I don’t blame them. They all engage in important work and provide needs that our county does not currently provide. Quickly, and sadly, commentary began to center around a central point: Don’t cut the budget, because we must save the non-profits. In the end, the budget was reduced by approximately $6 million, achieving a 0.89% millage increase (a far cry from the 5%+ originally called for).

The meeting was an eerie reminder of the Obama/Biden shutdowns about a decade ago. When government budget issues were left unresolved, it was the parks and social services that were shuttered- not the bloated budgets of bureaucracy. I can still see in my mind’s eye the brand-new chain and lumber to block off hiking trails at Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and newly minted traffic cones blocking parking lots. It all rushed back last night as the commission discussed cutting veterans’ services ($10,000) and reminded folks about closed parks some 20 years ago. It is a masterful tactic after all. Hit people where it hurts. Why reduce a subsidy to the allegedly profitable water park, if we could just shut down community parks instead? Slashing FARB’s for existing properties is in your face, slashing a new property acquisition is not as effective. It was extremely disappointing to see the tactics used, and was eye opening to see where some people stood on the matter. But in the end- it worked. Like 100 hungry people in a room with 2 apples, we fought- and those who control the food supply watched as we wore each other down.

Martin County governmental expenditures have grown more than 230% in the last 20 years, and our population has grown just 27%. Inflation over that period was 78%. We have far outspent out population growth, and we have become accustomed to that excess. It is hard to see, but if you look hard enough you will find a winner in last night’s meeting: we, the people.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, the room was packed for a budget season. Standing room only with scores of speakers all demonstrating that they are actively watching what the commission/administration is doing… at least for now. We may not agree on how to cut, or where to slash- but we all recognize two central themes: Our spending is unsustainable and our not for profits are seeing the effects of this. Government can’t afford to continue is spending, and citizens can’t afford to live here. I sincerely hope that this level of participation continues- not because (as one citizen puts it) I want to see the T-shirt brigades rule as a vocal minority, but because apathy is what got us here in the first place. I wish we had seen this level of participation when I first started budget analysis almost 10 years ago. I wish we had seen this level of critical analysis when our spending was half what it is today. But, for the moment, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

I want to end with a word of praise for Commissioner Heatherington. Following the July workshop, she and I had a run-in encounter where she told me about her disappointment with the low showing of folks at the July Budget meeting. It was the first I had missed in more than half a decade. I became apathetic after years of seeing no progress. Though she didn’t intend to shame me (she specifically reiterated this many times), I felt ashamed. I allowed the one thing I fight against most- apathy- to consume me. I was inspired by our conversation to re-enter the fight. Apparently, she inspired many more. Stacey dug in her heals and got beat up for it. The July meeting was pointed, the September 12th meeting was downright brutal. Last night wasn’t any better. Although she did not achieve the 0% increase intended, the original 5% drop to under 1% would not have happened if not for her. All commissioners sacrificed something, but no one took a beating for the people of Martin County like Stacey did. For that, we all owe her a debt of gratitude.

A new year starts on Sunday, and with that a new opportunity. We must remain vigilant in our expenditures and we must remain reasonable and humble in our request for luxuries. Most of all, we must remain active in our governance.