Much has been made by some of the residents and one county commissioner regarding the City of Stuart bringing sewer services into Snug Harbor, a neighborhood that is in unincorporated Martin County. Stuart has received a grant to do this work, and the city is proceeding under an inter-local agreement. The City’s prime reason for doing so is to allow these homeowners to do away with septic tanks which would ultimately improve the river quality.

This does not obligate homeowners to hook up to the sewer system.  Each individual homeowner can make the decision to remain on their septic systems or hook up to the sewer. However if they do take advantage of the services the city is offering, one clause in the agreement would be agreeing to be annexed into the municipality at the city’s option. Stuart has never invoked this clause in the nearly thirty years of providing these services, but it could in the future. This, to me, does not seem like a cause for histrionics or other misplaced rhetoric.

The arguments being put forth by a few who are against the project are specious and misleading. At any time, the county can extend its sewer system to this neighborhood, but it has not done so for a very good reason. The cost, which was provided by county staff, was $23,000 per residence. The city’s cost would be $7,000. The price differential is strictly because Snug Harbor is surrounded by the city. This leads me to two observations—one, why would any home owner want to pay over 300% more, and two, why isn’t Snug Harbor part of the city anyway?

Recently Beau Rivage, which had been part of St. Lucie County, petitioned and was annexed into Martin County at the request of the residents. They also were an enclave similar to Snug Harbor, and services such as first responders would have to travel through Martin County from St. Lucie to reach the residents. Luckily for Snug Harbor, other agreements that the county and city have allow Stuart to respond to their emergencies. It would only seem logical that this particular neighborhood becomes officially part of the city which surrounds it.

What would be the downside to the residents in incorporating into the city? While a homeowner will save $16,000 on sewer hookup it would pay more in taxes and fees. A home valued at $500,000 (which is above the median and average for that neighborhood) would pay approximately $1500 more per year. Without taking into consideration future value of either taxes or the difference in the hook-up fees, it will take more than 10 years of increased taxes before approaching the cost of hooking up to the city.

With 5 years notice, either the county or the city may abrogate the agreements which allow each of the entities to provide water and sewer in certain instances within the other’s boundaries. If one of the parties were to abrogate the agreements, then it would cost the city approximately $12 million and the county $9 million to provide our respective residents those services. Which means each and every one of us would pay for it. From everything I know as of today, I as a city commissioner would not vote to abrogate those agreements. Unfortunately at present, one county commissioner seriously wants that commission to consider doing so. We all know the proverb “to cut off your nose to spite your face”. Perhaps the commissioner doesn’t realize we are all residents of Martin County.

The entire issue of the city’s boundaries needs to be addressed and done so in a thoughtful and enlightened way. Hyperbolic and incendiary language has no place in the discussion. A citizen of Stuart is still a resident of Martin County. He/she will pay the same taxes to the county except for the fire MSTU. Fire protection would then be provided by the city. He/she will still go to the county beaches and libraries. Annexation is not a divorce or separation; it is a choice to live in the community where you dine, live and shop. Here is another way to think of it….. if you are a member of the Lion’s Club and you also choose to belong to the Knights of Columbus, you don’t stop being a Lion when you become a Knight. The same thing goes for being a resident of Stuart…you don’t stop being a resident of Martin County.