Martin County retreat highlights distressed water districts, explores regionalization and relief options

Martin County officials at a Feb. 24 planning and budget retreat described long-running financial challenges in the county—ontrolled water districts and discussed regionalization and relief options to stabilize service.

Water District Manager Ed Warren told the board the county supplies approximately 4,715 customers across two water districts and has maintained compliance with state public water-supply standards. Finance Officer Cindy Ange said District 2 "owed the general fund over $1 million" and that the water districts "had been in trouble since the beginning," noting staff had been budgeting for annual losses.

Chairman Ronnie Smith said Martin County had been added to a state list of "distressed water systems," which could make the county eligible for debt-relief programs and grant opportunities. County Manager James Bennett said he has been meeting municipal leaders about expanding the county—ustomer base and exploring whether towns would allow Martin County to provide water service as a way to increase revenues.

Board members and staff flagged multiple constraints. Warren said the county istribution lines could not currently deliver industrial-scale water service to the industrial park and described limited certifications on staff for surface-water treatment. On tap fees, Warren confirmed the existing schedule: "$550 for 3/4-inch tap and $1,000 for a 1-inch tap." Finance Officer Ange and Bennett said the district ebt traces to decisions made when the treatment plant was built and that options include federal or state relief, regional studies, or municipal cooperation.

Commissioner Joe R. Ayers said he had heard little municipal interest in joining the county system in prior talks. Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond noted possible legislative avenues and federal rural programs that could help. Chairman Smith urged pursuing relief and studies and suggested that ongoing regionalization conversations and any available incentives be explored further.

Next steps recorded at the retreat included directing staff to continue examining regionalization studies and funding sources and to include water system stabilization among budget priorities for the coming fiscal year. The commissioners did not take a formal vote at the retreat and instead used a priority-ranking exercise to indicate items for budget consideration.