There you go, I said it. OUR county commissioners must think we are stupid.
Today, on the October 10th draft agenda, it is confirmed. Our commission thinks their constituents are idiots- or they simply don’t think about us at all.

The very first item to be taken up – after one of the most contentious budget seasons in our history – is the acquisition of 6 acres of land in Palm City to stop development in the CRA. Keep in mind that our new fiscal year has not yet started, and this $4.028 million land grab is nowhere in the budget. Literally. After over a dozen hours of budget arguments that included one commissioner threating to stab another in the neck with a pencil; included several commissioners bullying a colleague into voting their way; and of course, was topped with threats of closing public parks and slashing veterans’ services dollars- the first action in the new year is to spend $4 million dollars we did not put into the budget.

That’s a hell of a way to start the year. Spend money you don’t have. Literally, don’t have. Kinda weird since you slashed your CRA budgets on Tuesday. Then again, no one has accused the BoCC of logical application of thought, recently.

Is that land worth it? You tell me:

6 acres with a small 1,000 square foot improvement is to be acquired for $4 million. (proposed purchase). The property appraiser states this is worth $1.8 million and the previous sale in 2021 is $2.1 million.

Directly to the west is a 9-acre property with 3 structures totaling 77,000 square feet of retail, food service and office space. These buildings were built in 2006 and include several popular local restaurants, an emergency clinic and the former IGA grocery store building. That land (9 acres) is appraised at $2.8 million. Total with improvements is less than $7m.

Directly east of the proposed purchase is a 9-acre lot complete with 13 structures totaling 84,000 square feet. That market value is $5.3 million (land and structures) according to the property appraiser.

I don’t think it takes a genius to see that this purchase is fiscally irresponsible. Or to state my true feelings, this is a knee bend by a legacy building commission(er) all at the expense of you and me- the Martin County Jackass….err, I mean Taxpayer.

Guys, I have tried to be polite, and tried to be understanding. I have tried to motivate people to be involved. Now, I’m telling you- we must either tell them “no”, or quit our bitching. We can’t continue to beg for new spending then feign anger about over spending when our tax bills increase. We either put up, or shut up.

Be at the October 10th meeting and tell them “NO!”. No more spending on pet projects to appease a vocal minority. Stop creating the affordability crisis we are living in. Why is property insurance so high? because insurance is rated depending on value of property. If we over value our properties by creating a Stepford appearance utopia, then our properties will be appraised unrealistically high. Insurance is directly linked to home values. Why are our electric rates so high? because when we the people said “No” 3 times to a sales tax increase, the commission instituted a 6% “Francise fee” onto all FPL bills in Martin County- unincorporated.
*Our commission at budget meeting*: OH, power is up so high. We feel your pain, but it’s not our fault. BULLSHIT. You put a special tax on there that we were not allowed to vote on. You slipped it in on us, and we’re stuck for 30 years. You raised our bills.

Why are property taxes so high? Because of ridiculous over expenditures like this. Non-budgeted, and with no perceivable benefit to the community. This is why your taxes increased. Actions JUST-LIKE-THIS.

Be there on the 10th to say “NO”.