Martin County MPO keeps Commissioner Hurd as chair amid TMA funding dispute
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Summary
The Martin County MPO re-elected Commissioner Hurd as chair and named Mayor DePaulo vice chair; Hurd offered to continue representing the MPO in upcoming negotiations over a disputed TMA funding split with St. Lucie, saying the county could stand to lose substantial federal TMA funds.
The Martin County Metropolitan Planning Organization on Feb. 23 re-elected Commissioner Hurd as MPO chair and appointed Mayor DePaulo vice chair, motions the board approved unanimously.
The leadership discussion included a warning from Hurd that negotiations over the TMA funding split with the neighboring St. Lucie TPO are active. Hurd said St. Lucie is seeking a larger share of the Transportation Management Area funds and that Martin County ‘‘stand[s] to lose an awful lot of money’’ if the split shifts in St. Lucie’s favor. Hurd offered to continue representing the MPO in those talks based on his past experience.
Board members supported keeping an experienced representative in the role. Commissioners noted the chair and vice chair serve on several regional bodies, including the Treasure Coast Transportation Council and statewide MPOAC, where the funding split may be discussed.
Separately, the board appointed Mayor DePaulo as chair of the Local Coordinating Board for the Transportation Disadvantaged; that motion also passed unanimously.
The board will continue to monitor state and regional negotiations about the TMA allocation as staff and regional partners refine data and proposals.