Commissioners approve multiple grants and budget resolutions including HUD permanent supportive housing, SHIP and FAA airport design funds

The Martin County Board unanimously approved a package of Office of Management & Budget items Tuesday that included permissions to apply for grants, acceptance of awards and several budget resolutions.

OMB director Stephanie Murley presented ten items. Highlights include permission to apply for the FY2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for $63,984 to support lab expenses associated with the county’s mental‑health court; authority for the county grants manager to serve as county coordinator; authorization to apply for a FY2026 mosquito control state assistance agreement (award estimated $55,670 with a 20% local match); acceptance of the Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance (EMPA) trust fund award for $105,806 for emergency planning; and acceptance of a HUD award of $179,916 to provide permanent supportive housing rental assistance for individuals with disabilities who have experienced chronic homelessness.

The board also accepted $118,750 from the Federal Aviation Administration to design replacement of precision approach path indicators and runway‑end identifier lights at the county airport (local share 2.5% or about $3,125 programmed in the airport CIP). Ocean Rescue received a $4,089.92 grant from the Surfing’s Evolution Preservation Foundation for mobile public‑address systems for side‑by‑side vehicles. The county’s IT department was awarded a Local Government Cybersecurity Grant in the form of approximately $450,000 in in‑kind software and services for cybersecurity and incident response; OMB described that award as non‑monetary.

Staff also presented a budget resolution recognizing $1,243,861 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds for housing rehabilitation assistance to very low‑ to moderate‑income households, and a budget adjustment recognizing additional insurance proceeds for a Building Department vehicle accident. Finally, the board approved a FY2026 budget resolution to appropriate $571,463 in Federal Highway Administration (MPO planning) funds.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the ocean‑rescue public‑address systems and SHIP eligibility and outreach; Ocean Rescue Chief Tim Mojela explained the mobile PA systems will allow staff to broadcast closures and warnings to beach users from side‑by‑side vehicles for shark and lightning events, rip currents and other public safety messages. Staff said SHIP funds can be used for eligible households’ water and sewer hookups where household income criteria are met and that staff engages with neighborhoods and utility programs to make residents aware of the assistance.

A motion to approve the OMB agenda items passed unanimously. Staff said they will continue outreach on SHIP and related programs and will return to the board with final ARPA accounting and wrap‑up materials later in the fiscal year as ARPA projects near completion.