Martin County CRA board recommends 2026 capital plan, sends package to county commissioners

The Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency voted to recommend its capital improvement plan for FY2026 to the Board of County Commissioners after a staff presentation and discussion of project priorities across the county's six CRAs.

The CRA board approved a motion recommending that the BOCC consider the CRA's FY2026 capital budget and program, a voice vote that passed with members saying "aye" and the chair declaring the motion carried. The recommendation will be presented to the BOCC during its upcoming budget workshops and hearings.

The plan presented by Susan Korres, Office of Community Development program lead, and Stephanie Murley, director of the Office of Management and Budget, outlines a 10-year capital outlook with a capital budget concentrated in the first year and planned projects in the out years. Murley emphasized that the CRA's available funds are driven primarily by tax increment financing (TIF) and by conservative revenue estimates based on recent valuation trends.

Key FY2026 allocations and priorities discussed by staff include: - Jensen Beach: an estimated TIF deposit of $382,500 recommended for roadway and parking improvements, including possible work on Church Street, Jensen Beach Boulevard and Indian River Drive. - Rio (Rio): a projected $1.619 million TIF recommendation for street improvements and town center redevelopment, with two projects currently under design. - Palm City: a projected TIF of $693,000; staff noted existing debt-service repayments that reduce available funds and that a Palm City property sale is pending; staff said the county will rebid an earlier procurement related to that property after a nonresponsive bid opening. - Golden Gate: a projected TIF of $829,000 and continuing funding for El Camino/El Camino–El Camino (El Camino) trail work. Staff reported that a notice to proceed was issued to contractor BDI Marine Inc. and work was expected to start the week of March 26; Golden Gate would also receive monies for improved street infrastructure, landscape/hardscape pilots, and continued investment-program funds. - Port Salerno: staff recommended adding funds for infrastructure partnerships (including sewer) and Park Drive improvements; Port Salerno's projected 2026 TIF was approximately $1.6 million with $600,000 suggested for infrastructure partnerships and additional funds for unpaved roads. - Hobe Sound: staff said Hobe Sound would receive one of the larger 2026 allocations (about $1.8 million) and that staff planned to combine several line items for stormwater, roadway improvements and a Dixie Highway stormwater-and-streetscape initiative into a single, larger Dixie Stormwater & Streetscape project to strengthen the funding package for grant-seeking and construction. Staff characterized the combined project as "very expensive" and said the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) supported consolidating money into the Dixie Stormwater & Streetscape scope.

Susan Korres noted that some line items in 2025 remain listed separately but would be rolled into the larger Dixie project for 2026 to present a stronger, consolidated project when the CRA package reaches the BOCC. Korres also said certain CRAs still carry debt-service commitments that will run through 2028, which reduces funds available for new projects.

Board members and NAC representatives praised the flexibility built into the CIP and the role of public input; several board members noted ongoing design and engineering work for projects in New Monrovia, Port Salerno and Rio. After discussion, a board member moved to recommend approval of the CIP to the BOCC; another member seconded the motion. The board recorded a voice vote in favor and the chair declared the motion carries.

The CRA staff said the CIP would be presented at the county's CIP workshop on April 22 and that the package will be tentatively approved at that workshop before final budget hearings in July and public hearings in September.

Board action: The CRA board recommended approval of the proposed FY2026 capital improvement plan and directed staff to forward the package and supporting materials to the Board of County Commissioners for review and scheduling.

Outlook: Staff will present the CIP at the BOCC CIP workshop and continue to refine project scopes and funding as revenues and grant opportunities evolve. Several projects remain in design; staff signaled ongoing grant-seeking and partnership efforts for larger items such as Golden Gate streets and Hobe Sound's Dixie corridor work.