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Broadband, water and schools top Martin County commissioners' priority list after retreat exercise
Summary
During a two-day planning retreat commissioners used an "11-star" prioritization exercise to flag broadband expansion, water consolidation, Medicaid transformation readiness and education/community policing as top budget priorities.
Martin County commissioners concluded a Feb. 24 nd 25 retreat by using an "11-star" prioritization exercise to identify budget items that will receive the most consideration in fiscal-year planning.
Chairman Ronnie Smith said broadband expansion and water consolidation would be top priorities, and Commissioner Emily Biggs urged board support for community policing and increased education funding. Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond emphasized workforce pathways and Martin Community College—ngagement to prepare students for local jobs. County Manager James Bennett explained each commissioner placed 11 stars on items they considered priorities; staff will consider the starred items first while preparing the budget.
EDC President Jason Semple briefed the board on broadband options, including the GREAT grant for CloudWyze (on hold), local provider Locality Networks, and federal programs such as the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Semple urged exploring short- and medium-term solutions and potential legislative fixes to improve connectivity in underserved areas.
Commissioners also discussed Medicaid transformation and the potential costs for Medicaid transportation, which Transit and DSS staff are monitoring. Chairman Smith raised a separate facilities idea: repurposing the East End school for community needs—food distribution, senior services or other uses—though no formal decision was made.
The retreat produced no formal votes; instead, commissioners asked staff to incorporate the starred priorities into upcoming budget drafts and to continue researching grant and regionalization options for broadband and water projects.
