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

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.