Election Day is Nov 5.
Early Voting is Oct 21 to Nov 2.
About the Sales Tax
A Martin County Referendum to Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat through a half cent sales tax is on your ballot on November 5.
The Voters of Martin County get to decide our own future and that of our community!
If we don’t want our precious natural lands and parks in jeopardy of being developed in the future, we must take matters into our own hands, at the local level, and buy the land ourselves!
The official referendum wording will appear on your ballot like this:
Lands to Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat
Shall Martin County protect its water quality and unique character by acquiring critical natural lands in Martin Couty within the Indian River Lagoon South, Pal-Mar, Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters, Blueways areas and provide municipal infrastructure allowed by law, by levying a one-half percent (0.5%) county sales tax for 10 years starting January 1, 2025 with Annual Audit and Citizen Oversight?
About the Half Cent Sales Tax:
- Could raise about $18.3 million a year.
- In 10 years, that would generate $183 million.
- A significant portion (about 37.5%) would be funded by people who don’t live in Martin County.
- The revenue will be used to generate additional matching funds – stretching our local dollars even further!
- Would increase our current sales tax from 6.5% to 7%.
- Importantly, just like our current sales tax, the half-cent increase would NOT apply to groceries, prescription medications or school supplies.
- It would also not apply to any purchases exceeding $5,000.
Referendum Language Provides Clear Direction on Use of Funds
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PURPOSE
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Language to be included in Referendum
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Citizen Oversight
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Creation of Environmental Lands Oversight Committee tasked with screening proposed purchases and serving as primary source of property purchase referrals to the Martin County Board of County Commissioners.
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Limit Scope of Land to be Purchased
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Land purchases will be limited to four areas: Blueways areas, Indian River Lagoon South, Loxahatchee & St. Lucie Headwaters and Pal Mar.
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Prevent Conflict of Interest
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Annual audit of land and properties purchased.
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Support the Sustainability of Farming and Agriculture.
Funds may be used to purchase Conservation Easements. This is a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently limits uses of the land to protect its conservation value while providing tax benefits to landowners to help them sustain farming operations. All easements will be in perpetuity and irrevocable.
Let’s mobilize our community and get this done!
Join our effort to preserve our natural lands for today – and for future generations. Click here to see the many ways you can support Martin County Forever.
Click here to read the full Referendum and Ordinance language