[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6162125,"mediaKeyId","5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273","parentId",5440059,"title","Building department asks for staffing and records‑conversion funding as permit workload grows; staff touts low fees and tech improvements","audioSeconds",738,"startMs",8940000,"endMs",9678000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273&start=8940&end=9678","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273/thumbnail_8940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6162125/Martin-County/Florida/Building-department-asks-for-staffing-and-recordsconversion-funding-as-permit-workload-grows-staff-touts-low-fees-and-tech-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162125-5ab5f95636b011be4c7dd6a6424cf6ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137476&Signature=Gm5cNYY7QmWxys1GPxmOuQ-ISVsQCABjlSnxxCnb3~kW476xKkwum3ZGIgsCtSHchohORU8pOH~aEEWvHFQa1BYBGh~szQZSai0mzQhnqApBb16vbkjpqFgdRcpnj6~EVsr~oLoZoY0mwQeGzurjU~WODjl692j5z4F2s-87g04B~kyfnFjeBK6NGFnfC-kwXFlaKuHwBgT-SqiMjcdnVPIYmBKf1HbqxJAixNORjLffvBtCBYqA-vtEYUedaqFURJoi3Ex26httiEYoth2DnKpLGwEvIyhGWWa~pBtugr8ZEjEeBG511~SWcvflCn0SAcKr~JnI0unGSGr1EVdBUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Martin County, FL","date","2025-07-21T16:10:41Z","article","Jeff Doherty, building director, presented the building department's FY‑26 tentative budget to the board on July 21 and asked for a 10.86 percent increase, driven primarily by collective bargaining increases and two operational needs: overtime to convert historic records to the Acela/cloud system and a new plan‑reviewer/inspector position to prepare for retirements and workload demands.

Doherty said the department is fully user‑funded (building fees pay for operations) and contributes about 20 percent of its revenue back to the county as indirect support for shared services (IT, HR, legal, general services). He said the department has reduced permit fees in recent years to remain competitive with private providers and that revenues remain consistent because permit activity has held up and high‑value projects are in the pipeline.

Doherty explained that the state now mandates disposition and retention timelines for records; the department must move older, server‑stored documents into the Acela/cloud system and then execute disposal per statute. He said converting legacy documents is labor‑intensive and the proposed overtime funds would accelerate that work and avoid consultant costs. Doherty also told the board the department competes with private providers and faces new state inspection and reporting requirements implemented July 1.

Commissioners asked about code‑enforcement tasks such as derelict vessel removal, and Doherty and county staff described the current process involving the sheriff's office for tagging vessels and the building department arranging removal or disposal. Doherty said roughly half of derelict vessels brought to the county's attention are ultimately removed and destroyed; the county uses a staff member who coordinates with law enforcement and contractors.

What it means: The building department says it is modernizing recordkeeping, responding to new state mandates and planning for a near‑term wave of retirements among inspectors and plan reviewers. Commissioners gave tentative approval of the building budget; the department emphasized that fees — not general tax dollars — pay for its operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Martin County Board of Commissioners Budget Workshop - July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Building Department requested a 10.86 percent budget increase tied mainly to collective bargaining cost increases, overtime for records conversion to the cloud and a new plan‑reviewer/inspector FTE to address an aging workforce and rising statutory inspection requirements.","taxTitle","Martin County, Florida","taxId",12775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6162130,"Commissioners waive conflict of interest, appoint Travis Waddell to Rio Neighborhood Advisory Committee",76,1634000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273&start=1634&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6162130/Martin-County/Florida/Commissioners-waive-conflict-of-interest-appoint-Travis-Waddell-to-Rio-Neighborhood-Advisory-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162130-b3c10718533a8f6c3e1bc767079083cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137476&Signature=XVsnF1MgMGkSoR0-u2lsofvCp3ikC0BXiBnWzC-lZTZgGF4X9HCGAQaqODihg2docbSIClx9iC4GHFPUMU7mqy8ztELH5YvfOYOYx2fvBDwF8qbQojb1XGPyAGTu3eYraB0mQehMiTVEzqTPzsqqqE6Tok4zZZK1R~d6W63D7yPt8pZQOER8OIfJSfBn4hkSGwKS8l7orFDbS7LXTSCN333xqFp1tEblUwQQYXFrsmIU04bvIk~TcACCL8oiB4vcTQbFAgnFsNhjGaGHd6hcZIjRSR5NOaILuFjn2tC3B0q0yu4wGG1EMEgHyrd77Btu94wGcSpWPew2vuFkGn-wgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board considered and approved a request July 21 to waive an apparent conflict of interest under Florida's ethics provisions and to appoint Travis Waddell to the Rio Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC).

Susan Kouras of the Office of Community Development introduced the item and Frank Morley, assistant county attorney, explained that Waddell had two contractual relationships with the county: a debris removal contract through his company Bridal Construction and a dead‑animal removal contract through Freedom Waste Services. Morley and staff said Waddell filed required disclosure forms and that the contracts were competitively bid and awarded based on price.

Staff said Waddell initially answered “no” to a conflict question on his NAC application but identified a conflict during mandatory NAC training, at which point he resigned the NAC seat and reapplied while staff prepared the waiver request. Commissioners asked whether Waddell's role on the voluntary advisory committee would allow him to approve contracts; staff said the NAC is purely advisory and would not approve county contracts. Commissioners also noted there was an open vacancy rather than a choice between applicants.

Commissioner Vargas said she knows Mr. Waddell and supported his appointment, and Morley and staff said the county attorney's office supports the waiver. The board voted unanimously to waive the conflict and to appoint Waddell to the Rio NAC.

What it means: County staff said the waiver process allows residents with competitive county contracts to serve on advisory bodies when conflicts can be managed (for example by recusal) and when the advisory role does not include contract approval authority.","Board unanimously granted a Chapter 112 conflict‑of‑interest waiver and appointed Travis Waddell to the Rio Neighborhood Advisory Committee after staff said his county contracts were competitively procured and advisory role is non‑contracting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6162135,"State law moves plat approvals to administrative review; Martin County delegates signature and dedications to county administrator",145,1179000,1324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273&start=1179&end=1324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273/thumbnail_1179000.jpg","/articles/6162135/Martin-County/Florida/State-law-moves-plat-approvals-to-administrative-review-Martin-County-delegates-signature-and-dedications-to-county-administrator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162135-e2071409b034b557bb30522dd1cede29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137476&Signature=og1EEIxhVMo1fggjVCylHJkW5ofU-blzkZk9PJIHD5irkX5VHV-BVCl8lJZmIQ4g-9mw8vSnl5xwtfMoqW-pqost6iyhKdMKWTVlS9QdHI5Pph0pQx9ZX2aqL8TCSRnxOMEi69rg3ecz-yJqr9fLwWrqdq7JgT3ZEdPsKiTJaHLrcjKq8~K7VOklMOjaFMpMxbjCApVtcIlwNFDv2peWs8o1QNmMjdMzF~RyONNVdIAJ0Tx-r34svGZAeQDimAoz0jIlhOUONT7ld1jRhrttGi4yK1IdJRaE3kSy8obVc5ogemRY3y3zh9-t5mukSOTColRRXw9wlFBenYIGZ4NOog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board on July 21 adopted a resolution to delegate authority related to plats — including signature authority and acceptance of dedications — to the county administrator, following a Florida legislative amendment that took effect July 1 requiring plats be approved administratively.

Elise Elder, deputy county attorney, told the board the legislature amended section 177.071 of the Florida statutes to require administrative plat approval and that the county will present an ordinance next month to align the local land development regulations. Elder said the resolution updates a 2002 plat resolution to replace the chair’s signature block with the county administrator and delegates authority for accepting easements and signing contracts that are tied to plats, while clarifying that acceptance of fee‑simple conveyances would still require board action.

County staff said notice requirements for plats — including required signage so neighbors are alerted — will not change. Commissioners asked staff whether the change was initiated locally; Elder and staff said it was required by state law and not a local initiative. Commissioner Campey and others sought layman explanations of how the plat fits into the larger development review process; staff said the plat is the final instrument to subdivide land and that substantive review of site plans and development standards occurs earlier in the permit and site‑planning processes.

The board approved the resolution unanimously and staff said they will return in August with ordinance changes and updated land development regulation language for public hearing and formal adoption.","Following a July 1 state law change, county attorneys briefed commissioners about required administrative approval of plats; the board adopted a resolution delegating signature authority to the county administrator and directed staff to bring corresponding ordinance amendments to update local regulations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6162140,"Sheriff seeks 7% market adjustment as part of $119.4 million request; board approves budget 4‑1",194,3862000,4056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273&start=3862&end=4056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273/thumbnail_3862000.jpg","/articles/6162140/Martin-County/Florida/Sheriff-seeks-7-market-adjustment-as-part-of-1194-million-request-board-approves-budget-41","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162140-2ba6e73af973c13d941af68770e7d6b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137476&Signature=kPcJz-VMeULYvC1uwD8Wi-Wc9COAQ8QjAKbI0AWC-uWI1TW7LLVgmO0XyXNsEMJ60D~r8n2QsZrUrTWvjfu45UBkgR4ZVFlNdJRM8xsJEHzt6heQmZvm7Eb83gNYjweCsAzpN9jqErd08BYM9tC0dHQuqvcaaXBgp-eoOVpKBPQhzVhF1O2Lr6HYmIWRtC8l21j5ejREoCylzsUM2lUGJTQzwSX9-LnWIIlNoTPexn5ngOIFAYsonqDQysZbb4gy1M6OIGJQ1v27KDH2rgjcDjyrEZkJizyiU0MDCEuh154OIhigrCICiFAG3v8v0LQwZa8tIVSuRMp0A4QeBoG6qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff (surname in transcript: Foodensy) asked the Board of County Commissioners on July 21 to approve a fiscal‑year 2026 budget request of $119,388,205, an 8.84 percent increase staff said was driven by mandatory cost increases and employee market adjustments.

The sheriff said the department faces about 66 vacant funded positions — more than 10 percent of the department's complement — and argued a 7 percent market adjustment is necessary to recruit and retain deputies and corrections staff. He described competing pay packages in neighboring jurisdictions and cited recruitment incentives being offered elsewhere, including state bonuses and larger sign‑on packages in some agencies.

The sheriff identified nonnegotiable cost drivers such as a $1.2 million increase in the Florida Retirement System contribution and rising health‑insurance costs. He told commissioners the department prioritized filling currently funded vacant positions rather than adding 50 new positions his command staff initially requested.

Commissioners questioned staffing in the jail, the proportion of employees living outside the county (the sheriff said about 52 percent do), and the overtime and correctional staffing pressures. The sheriff said the jail population was 594 the day of the meeting and described programmatic efforts such as a mental‑health pod and recruitment initiatives.

Commissioner Campey moved tentative approval of the sheriff's budget and thanked the sheriff for the presentation. Commissioner Vargas said she was concerned about continued budget growth and urged belt tightening; the sheriff responded that his office had been available to answer questions after the June budget drop‑off. The board voted 4‑1 to tentatively approve the sheriff's budget, with Vargas dissenting.

What changed: The sheriff said the request keeps the department within available revenue growth while focusing on retention and recruitment, and he and several commissioners described public safety as a budget priority. The tentative approval will be subject to the same wrap‑up and statutory hearings that apply to the overall county budget.","Sheriff presented an $119.4 million FY‑26 budget request, citing a 7% market adjustment to address vacancies and recruitment against higher pay in neighboring jurisdictions; commissioners approved the sheriff's tentative budget 4‑1 with Commissioner Vargas dissenting.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6162144,"Martin County presents $763 million FY‑26 tentative budget, board hears plan to replenish reserves and fund capital projects",628,2824000,3452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273&start=2824&end=3452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440059-a318e47013dd17f7fb6bb987aaae4273/thumbnail_2824000.jpg","/articles/6162144/Martin-County/Florida/Martin-County-presents-763-million-FY26-tentative-budget-board-hears-plan-to-replenish-reserves-and-fund-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162144-c36713cbfe9b95879b973401a6f35958/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137476&Signature=IYnH~gy9wTRtIdSoOVKtP-u5BJli-jL5fzWDCPAKUvYkX~MeWCscA1mHOZU5ePzMrS7U2S5LBU1whItvsoxagTP7DP0qk9vYQ7WmfqoRwkUZAeI7WsJZgInf8frSrPb22~ZG4v8hDWdoTugzfuvHVTQYqFtdNOqAnk15Ilf0VSqVpJKQQ2aPhU4m~Ad301P6no6BntGc22J7-mFcfnqDxkPSnVM--qsBgwcyFITAjES5H6eAqCyQOQZUJdhLzifotgFSgDpFACC-evVQ7umoLZgIAj4ghtChLN7DPIwld8S2XBnZ60K6LOuig~deVPZ-Mvhv7o1Dl~xBhFe5sp5TAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Don Donaldson and Stephanie Murley, director of the Office of Management and Budget, presented the fiscal‑year 2026 tentative budget to the Board of County Commissioners on July 21, saying total revenues and expenditures both equal $763,103,070.

Murley told the board the budget is balanced and reflects contractual and mandatory costs, growth in enterprise funds, and voter‑approved sales‑tax proceeds dedicated to conservation and land purchases. The budget reflects that ad valorem (property) taxes provide about 44.8 percent of revenues and other sources make up 55.2 percent. Murley said new ad valorem generated if the millage stayed constant would have been roughly $40.2 million; the budgeted ad valorem need was $38.1 million, leading staff to present a reduced millage burden compared with the prior year.

The presentation said the budget increases are driven by the county's commitment to replenish restricted reserves to the 10 percent policy level, pay down debt, and fund capital projects approved in the April capital improvement program. Murley said the CIP includes funding for public buildings, roads and stormwater and fully funds a supervisor of elections building expansion. She also identified recurring obligations that affect the budget: Florida Retirement System contribution rate increases, health insurance cost growth and contractually required salary changes.

Murley told commissioners the county has nearly completed its certified property valuations from the property appraiser, which underpin the millage calculations, and described the timeline for statutory required public notices (truth in millage/trim notices) and September public hearings to adopt final rates.

Commissioners made tentative approvals of several constitutional officers' budgets and departmental budgets during the workshop. Multiple departments presented budgets for tentative approval in sequence; the board reserved the right to make changes during the workshop wrap‑up. Don Donaldson and Murley said most departments were directed to hold base budgets steady and that most increases are mandated or related to maintaining current service levels.

What it means: County staff said the tentative budget seeks to preserve services, address capital needs and strengthen reserves while minimizing new ad valorem demand. The board will set tentative millage rates at the close of the workshop and hold statutorily required hearings in September before adopting final rates.","County staff presented a balanced FY‑26 tentative budget of $763.1 million on July 21, highlighting new revenue drivers, a plan to replenish reserves to policy levels, and voter‑approved sales‑tax proceeds earmarked for conservation land purchases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Building department asks for staffing and records‑conversion funding as permit workload grows; staff touts low fees and tech improvements

Commissioners waive conflict of interest, appoint Travis Waddell to Rio Neighborhood Advisory Committee

State law moves plat approvals to administrative review; Martin County delegates signature and dedications to county administrator

Sheriff seeks 7% market adjustment as part of $119.4 million request; board approves budget 4‑1

Martin County presents $763 million FY‑26 tentative budget, board hears plan to replenish reserves and fund capital projects