Martin County MPO adopts $740 million five‑year TIP; mayor dissents over sidewalk outreach

The Martin County Metropolitan Planning Organization on June 15 adopted the final draft fiscal year 2027–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a federally required, five‑year list of state, federal and locally funded transportation projects that staff said totals a little over $740 million for the period — roughly double the amount in last year’s cycle. The motion passed after a second and a roll call vote; Mayor Shawn Reed voted no and the motion carried with the remaining members voting in favor.

The TIP, presented by Bolivar Gomez, senior planner for the MPO, lists regionally significant and locally funded projects programmed for design, right‑of‑way and construction. Examples highlighted during the presentation included the State Road 710 widening and the Willoughby Boulevard extension; staff said the Fisherman’s Cove sidewalk project was the most recent addition to this TIP cycle. Gomez said the TIP mirrors FDOT’s five‑year work program and is financially constrained.

Why it matters: the TIP programs the funding that moves projects from concept to construction. The board’s adoption transmits these priorities to the Florida Department of Transportation and helps position Martin County projects for state and federal funding and scheduling.

Mayor Reed and several board members pressed staff during the public hearing about local outreach and land‑use consequences for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) sidewalk projects. Public commenter Gary Earler and other residents said sidewalk placement on Avalon Street removed front‑yard area and impaired driveways and parking. Reed and others asked whether TAP applications were driven by public requests or initiated by staff; Gomez and the county assistant attorney, Sebastian Propeski, said the TAP applications in question were submitted by Martin County (the local government) and that questions about code enforcement or nonconforming uses are county functions outside the MPO’s authority. Propeski suggested that elected bodies or residents direct letters or service requests to the Board of County Commissioners to raise land‑use or enforcement concerns.

At the vote, the board approved the TIP with one dissent. Staff said next steps include transmitting the adopted document to FDOT and continuing required public‑involvement steps.

The board also reviewed how the TIP is advertised and made available (45‑day public review, local newspaper notices, copies in county libraries and on the MPO website) and noted that FDOT District 4 has reviewed and formally accepted the final draft.

The MPO’s policy board will continue oversight as projects move into FDOT’s work program and as local governments finalize any matching funds and site‑specific design and right‑of‑way work.