Board roundup: fluoride ordinance repealed, budget adjusted, incentive amendment and major site plans approved

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 handled a broad slate of formal business, approving multiple ordinances, budget and planning items and several development site plans.

The board voted to repeal a 1989 county ordinance that required community water fluoridation, a step county attorney Dan McIntyre said would allow water providers such as the City of Port St. Lucie and local water authorities to decide the matter themselves following guidance from the State Surgeon General. "Repealing the ordinance just allows us those entities to decide for themselves whether fluoridation is appropriate or not," McIntyre said. Motion carried by voice vote.

On the countys finances, the board approved a budget resolution recognizing $205,693,732 of unanticipated revenue and balance-forward adjustments tied to FY2024 closing balances and capital project reconciliations. Jennifer Hill, the countys managing budget director, said the amendment reconciles beginning balances, adjusts interfund transfers and recognizes other unanticipated revenue.

Economic development: the board approved a fourth amendment to a Job Growth Investment Grant agreement for a manufacturing company (Arcosa/Accel referenced in staff backup) that shifts the schedule of job-creation milestones and flips payment timing to better align incentives with the company's revised hiring…