Martin County commissioners approved an initial $78,000 package on Nov. 4 to begin bringing county web content and online forms into compliance with the Department of Justice’s Title II digital‑accessibility rules.

Staff said new DOJ guidance issued on April 24, 2024, requires government‑produced websites and online documents to meet accessibility standards; the county has until April 24, 2026, to make necessary updates. Planning and administration staff requested $28,000 to purchase software for the Building Department that will help make fillable forms accessible, plus $50,000 in contingency funding to help other departments migrate critical documents and services.

“Some components of our public information systems—such as fillable building forms—are required by law to be available online, and those documents must be ADA accessible,” Comprehensive Planning Administrator Clyde Doolin said. Staff cautioned that the $78,000 package is an initial investment that addresses the most time‑sensitive needs; they said a full, best‑practice compliance program (including a dedicated staff person) would cost significantly more.

County staff said they will pursue further guidance and coordinate with other jurisdictions to refine a compliance plan; some systems may be impossible or impractical to modify without removing public access or redesigning tools, which could trigger an undue‑burden analysis under Title II. The board approved the initial funding unanimously.

Provenance: Item presented by Clyde Doolin (Comprehensive Planning) with technical support from Assistant County Administrator George Stokas.