A large public turnout at the Aug. 25 Port St. Lucie City Council meeting focused much of the meeting's first hour on household affordability, rising assessments and perceived declines in municipal services.

Speakers from multiple neighborhoods told the council their property tax and assessment bills felt unaffordable, often citing increases in solid-waste assessment, stormwater charges and utilities. Several residents said service levels had fallen (including complaints about bulk pickup and missed recycling) while fees rose. One frequent theme: residents on fixed incomes and seniors said they were struggling with cumulative costs and asked the council for relief or clearer accountability for where revenues are spent.

Council members responded with context: they summarized how the municipal portion of the tax bill is only one of many line items on the trim notice; they noted the city has reduced its millage rate for several years in a row and that large increases on homeowner bills can reflect property-appraiser assessments rather than millage changes. Staff directed residents with specific service problems to city contact points, encouraged use of the 1PSL app for service requests, and said follow-up would be made with people who raised particular issues such as yard flooding, potholes, sidewalk problems and tree removals.

Council members also announced local outreach: a town hall on fish kills and stormwater issues and an invitation to sit down with council members to review individual tax bills. Multiple residents persisted in urging stronger limits on growth, more accountability for developer obligations and better prioritization of existing infrastructure needs.

No formal council action resulted directly from the public-comment block; councilmembers said they would follow up with staff and residents and to route specific service issues to the appropriate departments for case-by-case responses.