Board of County Commissioners- Informal Meeting (2025-10-14)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Informal Meeting October 14, 2025 Convened: 9:03 AM Adjourned: 12:20 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER - JAMIE FOWLER, CHAIR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM by Chair Jamie Fowler, District No. 4. Present Commissioner Jamie Fowler, District 4; Commissioner Larry Leet, District 2; Commissioner James Clasby, District 1; Commissioner Erin Lowry, District 3; Commissioner Cathy Townsend, District 5 Also Present Katherine Barbieri, Interim County Attorney George Landry, County Administrator Mayte Santamaria, Deputy County Administrator Michael Manning, Innovation & Performance Navigator Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director Patrick Dayan, Public Works Director and Chris Arnold, Public Works Outreach Coordinator Sydney Halleran, Agenda Coordinator Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary Special Guest Dayanara Morrison Jennifer Avellaneda-Vega 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2025 Community Survey Results Michael Manning, Innovation & Performance Navigator, and Jason Morano, Director of Community Research of ETC Institute (via Teams), presented the Board with a summary overview of the 2025 Community Survey Results for the County. The purpose of the survey was to assess resident satisfaction as part of the County's ongoing efforts to identify and respond to community needs. The goal was to receive 600 surveys, and the County far exceeded that goal with 709 completed household surveys. The County previously conducted the National Community Survey in 2019 and 2022. For historical reference, the most significant issue identified by residents in the 2022 survey was housing affordability and the cost of living.

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 2 | P a g e Mr. Morano provided background on the survey and the institute's expertise in conducting community surveys for local governments. The survey was seven pages and took residents 15 to 20 minutes to complete, administered by mail and online to randomly selected households from the County. The survey received a good response, with 709 completed surveys, reflecting a good distribution from the County, including more responses from densely populated areas. The results from the surveys have a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7%. Key demographic areas such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, and household income were considered in the survey results. With the first question, respondents rated the overall quality of life in St. Lucie County positively, with 77% rating it as very good or good. Mr. Morano previewed a map showing positive ratings for the overall quality of life across the County, with specific areas such as zip code 34957 receiving the highest ratings. Residents were generally satisfied with access to parks, beaches, goods and services, and opportunities to volunteer, but less satisfied with employment opportunities and housing affordability. Specific areas of dissatisfaction included the ability to earn a living wage and the affordability of housing. Respondents rated various aspects of housing and neighborhoods positively, with high ratings for proximity to grocery stores, retail shopping, and libraries. The only area with more negative ratings was the availability of housing for people at all stages of life. Transportation and connectivity received mixed ratings, with higher dissatisfaction for access to public transportation and safety while driving. The economy received mixed ratings, with high ratings for locally owned businesses and low ratings for job opportunities and housing options. The areas with the highest levels of dissatisfaction were the availability of housing options at varying price points to purchase/rent, and the ability to find job opportunities with competitive wages and benefits. In aspects of the environment, respondents gave high ratings to air quality, protection of beaches and rivers, and the County's hurricane and storm response efforts. The lowest rated area was the management of street flooding, which is typical for coastal communities. Libraries received very positive ratings, with high ratings for all aspects of library services. Parks, trails, and recreation also received high ratings, with specific areas such as County fairgrounds, parks, and green spaces receiving the highest ratings. In terms of top priorities, respondents identified public safety, infrastructure, and balancing the impacts of growth as the top long-term priorities. Other high-rated areas included County government efficiency, government fiscal responsibility, revenue diversification, and environmental preservation. When asked about short-term priorities, balancing the impacts of growth and infrastructure was the top priority, followed by environmental preservation, housing affordability, workforce housing, and public safety. The most important projects identified by respondents included workforce housing, job development/creation, drainage system improvements, street resurfacing, airport development, and commercial businesses. Respondents were asked how much funding the County should spend in the future towards the services, 66% said to spend more, 29% said to spend the same, and only 6% said to spend less. Mr. Morano explained that in communication and customer service, respondents rated their interactions with County employees positively, with over 80% saying they were very satisfied or satisfied. Most respondents rated the timeliness of county employees' responses positively. They also found it easy to contact the employees they needed to reach and reported that the information provided was accurate. Overall, they were satisfied with the resolution of their concerns. The County's website was a significant source of information for residents, with 65% finding it easy or very easy to find the information they needed. Facebook was the top source of information for county updates and events, followed by local TV news stations, word of mouth, and the county's website. The survey also included questions about the importance of various services and the willingness of residents to pay more to improve them. In recap, he advised residents to have a positive reception in St. Lucie County overall. 77% of respondents rated the

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 3 | P a g e overall quality of life in the County as very good or good. Respondents gave high satisfaction ratings to customer service, parks, recreation, and library services. The top priorities for each house over the next five years are balancing the impacts of growth, infrastructure, and environmental preservation, and the top priorities over the next 10 years are public safety, infrastructure, and balancing the impacts of growth. Overall, he explained, the survey ensured a good representation of key demographic groups, including age, race, ethnicity, gender, and household income. The survey results were regarded as representative of the whole county, despite the relatively small sample size. Mr. Manning mentioned that in the next couple of weeks, updates to the strategic plan will be finalized, recognizing the results from the community survey, and will be brought back to the Board for review. The Board discussed the results of the survey and the importance of balancing development projects with community needs, particularly housing options, sales taxes, hurricane preparedness, the importance/need of athletics facilities, and the need for more/ better ballfields, parks for community engagement, library systems, statistical comparison to the City of Port St. Lucie, the need for a better transit system, public safety infrastructure being the highest priority, and the willingness of residents to pay more taxes for things that they see fit were mentioned. Commissioner Townsend acknowledged the attendance of Former Clerk of Court Ed Frye and Former County Commissioner Kim Johnson. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter. The presentation was informational only. No formal action was taken. B. St. Lucie County Mobility Infrastructure Study Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director, and consultant Mark Alvarez of the Corradino Group, Inc., presented the Board with an overview of the St. Lucie County Mobility Study. The study is funded through the Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation program as administered by the Florida Department of Commerce. The study aims to plan for future growth, transportation needs, and infrastructure demands over future decades while addressing flood mitigation and resilience. The study reviews the population and travel projections to the year 2100, considering how emerging transportation technologies might shape how people move around the County, and identifying areas that may need to plan for additional right-of-way or infrastructure improvements. Mr. Balcer clarified that the overview would present the key findings of the study, the preferred growth scenario, and recommendations on how to use these strategies to guide the planning and investment decisions in the future. Mr. Alvarez presented an overview of the study and reiterated his long-range plan. The study focuses on mobility infrastructure, including roadways and right-of-way. The key stressors for flooding are sea level rise and hurricane storm surge. The study utilized satellite laser data and NOAA data to model flooding scenarios. Sea level rise is projected to affect coastal and estuary areas, with maps for 2025, 2040, 2070, and 2100. The St. Lucie River, the Indian River, and the Five-Mile Creek are some of the main areas. Hurricane storm surge is explained utilizing the Saffir-Simpson scale, considering a Category 5 storm as the worst-case scenario. The study recommended operational aspects for mitigating storm effects, such as raising roads and creating embankments. The community's satisfaction with operational aspects was

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 4 | P a g e considered, with major engineering tasks beyond the study's scope. The study projects a population of 800,000 by 2100, with high forecasts reaching over 1.1 million utilizing the medium forecasts from the University of Florida. The South Florida Water Management District has a rainfall factor study. Typically designed for a 100-year storm, which has a 1% chance of occurring each year. However, storms are becoming more intense and frequent, and models are utilized that apply 50% and 75% factors, increasing the storm's intensity. Those factors were utilized to model the year 2100's potential for intense storms and are typically used to address stormwater management and flooding. The study examines population growth and land use, including future land use maps and urban development boundaries. The focus is on infill development and mixed-use corridors to mitigate single-occupancy vehicle travel. The study considers the impact of communication technology and transportation technology on road systems. Automated vehicles and shared mobility options (e-bikes, e-scooters) are expected to change transportation dynamics. The TPO aims for carbon reduction by 2045. The carbon reduction study examined strategies to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel and increase the use of transit and mixed- use strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential for remote work, reducing single- occupancy vehicle travel. The study used a scenario approach to projecting future growth and infrastructure needs, considering past density, past trends, planned growth, focus growth, and maximum infill. The focus is on infill development in areas with existing infrastructure, creating mixed-use/dense corridors and walkable communities. The study recommended limiting the number of lanes on roads to accommodate transit and bicycle lanes. The study prioritized development in areas with less flooding, avoiding highly flood-prone areas. The recommendations include raising roads, creating understory townhouses, and limiting development in flood-prone areas. The focus is on long-term planning, considering infrastructure that will last for generations. The study highlighted the importance of policy decisions in shaping future growth and infrastructure. Mr. Alvarez discussed the comprehensive plan and various types of roadways throughout the County, including technology and drainage solutions. The study involves 137 roadways and 555 roadway segments, focusing on drainage, stormwater, and moving water underground to avoid environmental impacts. The goal is to retain water where it falls, using concepts of complete streets that include transit, bicycle lanes, and car lanes. Mr. Alvarez provided an example segment from Edwards Road and Selvitz Road to South 25th Street, illustrating issues such as sea level rise, category five hurricanes, storm surge, and rainfall events from the years 2025, 2045, and 2100. He explained the challenges of mitigating against flooding, especially for 100-year rainfall events and sea level rise. The roadway segment of Edwards Road would be expanded from two lanes to four lanes to accommodate increased traffic and mobility. By 2045, the flooding would increase to over five feet, and the policy issue of how to treat hurricane surges was discussed. Simple solutions such as small tech dam structures and higher slopes along roadways are considered for long-term planning. He explained the need for policy decisions on how to treat hurricane surge and storm surge. The report includes data on flood mitigation, additional units, and transportation modes for the entire County. In the comprehensive plan, it is suggested to add a section to support townhouse development and mixed-use development. Mr. Alvarez did not recommend any map amendments but suggested adding two land use categories that would be policies, and for the County to be effective in the future with map amendments. The transportation element was discussed in support of multi-modal mobility and to reinforce existing policies for transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure. The study is data-intensive, focusing on infrastructure that will last for 20 years. Public surveys and meetings are recommended to incorporate these ideas into future planning. He explained that there is a need for additional planning studies to support townhouse development and mixed-use typologies. The

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 5 | P a g e goal is to balance infrastructure investments with long-term planning, considering future population growth and environmental impacts. The Board discussed the information presented and expressed concerns regarding population growth and sea level rise in the future, insurance costs, limited lane expansion, the impact of traffic concurrency, the cost/reason of the study, stormwater issues, infrastructure, flooding, the trend of people moving to Florida, and the impact on the coastal area. The importance of having control over development in coastal areas was also discussed. In response to the Board discussion, Mr. Balcer and Mr. Alvarez explained that the study was grant-funded in 2021, with a federal grant of $210,000 and a County match of $40,000 to complete the study. The purpose of the study was to guide future infrastructure investments and use funds wisely. The County is also undertaking a countywide vulnerability assessment to be eligible for future resiliency grants. It was explained that the population growth trends are based on projections from the University of Florida. The study considered the economic and insurance costs associated with sea level rise and hurricane surge. Mr. Balcer explained the need for policies to manage growth in coastal areas, considering insurance costs and economic factors. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter. The presentation was informational only. No formal action was taken. C. Stormwater Master Plan Update Patrick Dayan, the Public Works Director, presented the Board with an update on the stormwater master plan modeling and design. The two-year project was fully funded by the federal American Rescue Plan, and no local tax dollars were used. The stormwater master plan was last performed in 1992, and the area has grown substantially since then. The 2025 community survey highlighted infrastructure and balancing growth as top priorities, with drainage system improvements ranked third. The plan includes gathering user data, stakeholder interviews, and sophisticated modeling to develop areas of need, project future scenarios of growth, and land use change. Also, more intense storms to forecast for pressure points as the unincorporated area grows. One major component is a suite of conceptual projects that will provide a future roadmap for infrastructure improvements. Marcy Frick of Tetra Tech, Inc., provided an overview of the need for updated stormwater management due to increased development and changing storm patterns. The plan considers future development and its impact on current and future flooding issues. The focus is on the unincorporated County, as cities have their own stormwater master plans. The project involves gathering data, holding interviews, and conducting public workshops to identify areas of concern and potential capital improvement projects. The County's website provides more details about the meetings and public outreach efforts. The information gathered was used to develop models to identify potential capital improvement projects. Public workshops were held to gather input and improve the modeling results. The final round of public workshops will be held in October and November to gather feedback and finalize the stormwater master plan. The plan divides the County into smaller basins to focus on specific areas of concern. The plan identified five priority basins based on current and potential future flooding issues. The modeling process used data on soils, land use, topography, rainfall projections, and existing stormwater infrastructure. Data

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 6 | P a g e was gathered from the County engineering, plan documents from the Water Control Districts, and from cities and their master plans. The South Florida Water Management District compiled its permits into models that were used for the project. The initial 132 locations of concern were narrowed down to 41 using criteria such as proximity to major highways and projected flood depths. The selected screening criteria include areas of concern, road size, stage change, and flood depth. Potential projects were assessed by examining the ownership of parcels near specific areas. The focus is on properties owned by the County, particularly those that score higher than privately owned parcels, which would need to be acquired for stormwater management purposes. The areas of concern where current issues are being reported, specifically, the number of buildings in the floodplain. This assisted in evaluating project benefits such as flood prevention, reduction of stormwater runoff, and improvements in water quality. The projects identified range from small improvements to large-scale wet pond storage projects. The County is near important water bodies, including the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. There is a commitment to meeting Florida County Environmental Protection standards by enhancing water quality benefits in this project. Opportunities have been identified for improvement, particularly in areas close to floodplains and streams. The projects are conceptual and will require additional data collection and engineering design before implementation. The plan includes projects for the first and second 10-year periods, focusing on current and future flooding concerns. Maintenance improvements are recommended, including promoting the culvert assistance program and clearing out ditches and swales. Details regarding estimated capital costs, construction complexity, environmental habitat benefits, and funding potential have also been included. The plan identified five priorities in Northeast County basins based on current and potential future flooding issues. Ms. Frick provided an overview of recommended projects in White City/Lower North Fork, Upper Ten Mile Creek, Five Mile Creek/Ten Mile Creek North, C-23/C-24 Canals. These projects vary from small improvements to outfalls and swales for better water movement to large-scale wetlands, detention ponds, culvert improvements, and retention basins that hold significant water to occur in the first/second 10 years, depending on funding. The county-wide recommendations include operations and maintenance improvements with the culvert assistance program, ditch cleaning, and swales maintenance. Education and outreach, educating the public about how they can improve, preserve, and restore their watershed. Also, the comprehensive plan and code of ordinances revise the County’s stormwater level of service, identifying areas, and ensuring land use categories are broad enough for stormwater projects. The plan aims to address current and future stormwater management needs comprehensively. The next steps include the final round of public workshops, finalizing the stormwater master plan, and returning to the Board for approval. The Board and staff discussed the history of the stormwater master plan being updated, the frequency/probability of storm events, future growth and development, and the inclusion of city projects. The importance of the plan and the funding provided by the American Rescue Plan was mentioned. The Board also discussed he need for comprehensive planning and the integration of the stormwater master plan with other County initiatives. Staff clarified that the phrase used in the presentation, “tailwater,” refers to a boundary condition or water structure/flow. No formal action was taken; the presentation was for informational purposes only. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter.

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 7 | P a g e 10:59 AM - Recess taken 11:14 AM - Reconvened D. Sales Tax Projects Patrick Dayan, Director, and Chris Arnold, Outreach Coordinator of Public Works, presented to the Board an overview of the County’s infrastructure sales tax projects. He provided a historical overview from 2006 to 2008, highlighting the housing crisis and its effects on the local government and community. He explained the difficult choices made during the Great Recession, including voluntary retirements and workforce reductions. The half-penny infrastructure surtax was approved in 2018 by 85% of voters, and 55% of respondents in the community survey indicated they are willing to pay for improvements that they believe add value. The infrastructure sales tax is governed by state law that specifies how funds can be used. Every dollar that is implemented is chosen by the Board of County Commissioners based on the projects planned, as specified in the County ordinance. The funding cannot be used to buy equipment or pay salaries. The County must invest it into projects or programs that the Board believes are impactful to the residents, with visitors contributing between 15% and 20%. The County has an Oversight Committee that meets to review quarterly expenditures that are shared. The committee will conduct an effective audit of County activities and report back annually to ensure compliance with the ordinance. Early next year, they will send in a letter of support recommending the approval of the annual report, indicating that County spending aligns with the requirements outlined in the ordinance. There is a cap on large purchases such as homes, vehicles, and recreational vehicles, up to the first $5,000. Year-over-year revenues have increased from initial projections due to changes in online sales tax legislation. Over $83 million has been collected over seven years, with $47 million invested in ground projects and another $31 million committed to planned/ongoing projects through the surtax. An additional $14 million in grants and offset revenue has been used to support programs and projects. The surtax has funded 50 completed projects, with another 22 ongoing or planned. In the community survey regarding road corridors, 29% of respondents indicated that street resurfacing is the most important project they would like to see. Mr. Dayan highlighted specific projects funded by sales tax, including the Glades Cut-Off Road (Carlton Road to I-95 Overpass) repaving, 10 miles of new striping, and safety edge. The Glades Cut-Off Road's future plans include repaving Midway Road to Selvitz Road, studying for 4-laning, and a signal at Commerce/Wylder. He discussed the repaving of Midway Road (McCarty to S.R. 70) with an added guardrail and shoulder for increased safety. Highlighting sales tax projects on Prima Vista Boulevard (Airoso Boulevard to US-1); access management project (Floresta Intersection); Rangeline Road resurfacing; Oleander Avenue sidewalk (Midway Road to Market Street); St. James Drive (Royce Avenue to Lazy River) sidewalk; Walton Road (SE Lennard Road to SE Green River Parkway) sidewalk; Melville Road Stormwater Treatment Area Phase 1 & 2; Harmony Heights Neighborhood Retrofit; Gordy Road over Ten Mile Creek Bridge replacement; Keen Road over Taylor Creek Bridge replacement; bridge repairs; and other projects funded by sales tax and grant within the County. Mr. Dayan discussed the importance of maintaining local roads and addressing the drainage culvert issues. He mentioned the County maintained traffic signals now have first responder preemptions to assist with better response times. When the surtax was passed in 2018, it had a ten-year duration. The staff has considered suggesting that the general election in November 2026 may be a good opportunity to renew the sales tax. The Oversight Committee unanimously supports bringing the renewal forward to the Board for approval. The committee decided not to include road widening projects in the suite of sales tax projects due to the use of impact fees and the long lead time of such projects. Staff requested the Board's

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 8 | P a g e feedback. The Board discussed their support of the half-cent sales tax, the importance of grants, the benefits of the sales tax for both residents and tourists, referendum language, support for infrastructure, the importance of city partnerships, and the role of the volunteer oversight committee. The challenges of eminent domain for water projects were mentioned. A suggestion was made for improvements to Delaware Avenue and Angle Road/39th Street. The timeline/language for adding the referendum to the 2026 ballot was discussed. The Board thanked voters for supporting the half-cent sales tax and the improvements it has brought to the County. George Landry, County Administrator, expressed the need to prioritize projects that may be required over the next 10 years and utilize the remaining funds, which expire in 2028, to ensure they are completed before the deadline. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter. No formal action was taken; the presentation was for informational purposes only. E. Memorial Sign Discussion George Landry, the County Administrator, provided the Board with an overview of the County's memorial signing process and the possibility of dedicating a roadway segment in honor of the late Charlie Kirk.. He described the current process for memorial signs, which requires family members to complete a one-page form to request a marker at an intersection where a loved one lost their life. The current process is limited to safety markers and requires formal Board approval for larger or more significant memorial signs. The formal decision-making process would involve a resolution and a formal meeting, not the current informal workshop. Mr. Landry requested the Board's feedback and direction on creating a procedure or policy for such memorial signs. Commissioner Clasby commented and changed his initial proposal of renaming a County roadway in honor of the late Charlie Kirk to dedicating a segment of roadway as a Memorial Highway in his honor. He provided a detailed history of Charlie Kirk's contributions, including his co-founding of Turning Point USA and his posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. Commissioner Clasby explained that the proposal includes the support of some local residents and their willingness to cover the cost of the memorial sign with no burden to taxpayers. He advised that the Public Works Director estimated the cost of installing two memorial signs to be under $1,000. Commissioner Clasby requested the Board's support and consideration for the Memorial Highway dedication. Commissioner Lowry commented in support of the idea of not burdening taxpayers and mentioned the emotional impact of memorial signs. She shared a personal connection to Charlie Kirk and expressed the importance of recognizing his contributions. Commissioner Leet expressed support for Charlie Kirk and the positive impact he had on the community. He mentioned the need for community support and ongoing efforts to improve Fort Pierce. Commissioner Leet suggested involving local organizations, such as Turning Point USA and the Republican Party, as well as community initiatives, and mentioned the importance of grassroots movements in uniting the

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM 9 | P a g e community. Commissioner Townsend expressed the need for the Board to follow policy before making a decision and suggested setting a policy through a public hearing and engaging with staff and the community. She discussed the importance of fairness and following established procedures. Commissioner Townsend proposed creating a policy to guide future decisions on memorial signs and dedications. Chair Fowler mentioned the Republican Party and expressed the need to focus on community needs and economic development. Commissioner Fowler proposed bringing the discussion back to a formal meeting after creating a policy. The Board debated and discussed the need for a policy and the importance of community input and following established procedures. The Board discussed the current County policy and expressed the need for a formal policy/ordinance/resolution to guide decisions, ensuring fairness and transparency in renaming/memorializing a roadway. The Florida Constitution and state statutes were mentioned, along with the Florida Sunshine Law. The Board also discussed the need to stop identifying the Board solely as a Republican Board, the role of elected commissioners/officials, and a single/closed district referendum. Upon discussion, the Board agreed for staff to research and draft a policy/procedure for memorial dedications on County roads and consider the proposal at a future meeting. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter. 4. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS No items were discussed. 5. ADJOURNMENT With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:20 PM. Please note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, which are available for inspection upon request. (Full Audio Available Upon Request)