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County oversight committee reports $15.5 million in infrastructure surtax spending for FY 2023–24; board accepts 6th annual report
Summary
St. Lucie Countyaccepted the Infrastructure Surtax Citizens Oversight Committee(ISCOC) sixth annual report, which reports $15.5 million in investments in fiscal year 202324 and lists projects funded by surtax proceeds.
The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 accepted the sixth annual report from the Infrastructure Surtax Citizens Oversight Committee, which the committee said documents $15,500,000 in infrastructure investments in fiscal year 202324.
The oversight committeea volunteer citizen panel created after voters approved a dedicated infrastructure sales surtax in 2018reported that surtax proceeds, together with other sources used by the county, supported road reconstruction, culvert replacements and bridge work. "These funds contributed by visitors, tourists, residents reflected a shared commitment to strengthen our infrastructure," Kent Kroll, chair of the ISCOC, told commissioners.
The nut of the report is that county staff and the citizen oversight committee reviewed project documents and found the countys expenditures aligned with ballot language and state law requirements. "After a comprehensive review, I'm pleased to report the county has expended the surtax proceeds for the fiscal year 2023/24 in compliance with Florida statutes, the approved ballot language and the commission-approved 2018 sales tax referendum 10-year plan," Kroll said.
Projects listed in the presentation included reconstruction of Rangeline Road (northern section), work on Carlton Road, replacement of a bridge over Taylor Creek and multiple large culvert replacements completed in 2024. The countys presentation also noted use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in some cases, which staff said allowed surtax proceeds to cover other priority work.
Patrick Diane, the countys public works director, said the surtax structure reduces the burden on local residents because a share of the revenue comes from visitors. Diane also invited county staff who work on project delivery to the dais and thanked the ISCOC volunteers.
The board voted to accept the ISCOC report without amendment. Commissioners and staff said they would continue to brief the board and the public on candidate projects for future surtax initiatives should voters consider renewal when the current 10-year authorization approaches its end.
Looking ahead, staff said ongoing projects and potential candidates for future surtax funding will be posted on the county website and the commissionersYouTube channel as details are finalized.
