PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
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PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION FOR THE CORAL GARDENS WASTEWATER MUNICIPAL SERVICE BENEFIT UNIT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Board action is requested to adopt the final assessment resolution for the Coral Gardens Wastewater Municipal Service Benefit Unit to allow installation of a vacuum assisted gravity wastewater collection system and associated vacuum pump station.
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DEPARTMENT: Utilities and Solid Waste
PREPARED BY: Name: Leo Repetti, P.E.
Title: Technical Services Administrator
REQUESTED BY: Samuel Amerson, P.E., Utilities & Solid Waste Director
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
This project entails construction of a vacuum assisted gravity sewer system and associated pumping facility to provide sanitary sewer service to approximately 631 single family residential parcels of land in the Coral Gardens area of Martin County, Florida. The project includes construction of the underground collection system along the road rights of way with valve pits to service the units and construction of a vacuum sewage collection and pumping facility to be located on a Martin County owned parcel of land on Willoughby Blvd.
The project will enhance water quality in the St. Lucie Estuary by eliminating nutrient loading from septic systems at the rate of 3.5 lbs total nitrogen and .89 lbs total phosphorous per month per septic tank as indicated by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection study. In addition, the increased wastewater flow of approximately 157,750 gallons per day at the Tropical Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant will be converted to reuse quality water for irrigation use.
The proposed assessment includes 631 parcels with a total of 631 equivalent residential connections (ERCs). The total project cost estimate is $18,182,526.00, including: $14,086,089.00 for construction, $2,249,156.00 for design, survey and engineering, $1,325,100.00 Capital Facilities Charges (CFCs), and $522,181.00 for other expenses.
Martin County has received a Protecting Florida Together Water Quality Protection Grant for this project in the amount of approximately $8,000,000.00 which will be applied to pay project costs together with the County’s contribution in the amount $1,051,421.00 from the State Revenue Sharing, $1,500,000.00 from FPL franchise fees and $413,437.28 from Utilities funds, leaving a balance of $7,217,667.72 of project costs to be paid from assessments. That amount is divided by 631 ERCs to calculate an estimated prepayment amount of $11,438.46 per ERC, and if not prepaid that equates to an annual (not to exceed) payment of $754.10 per ERC amortized over a 20-year period at an estimated interest rate of 1.83% from the State Revolving Fund Loan Program. The estimated annual payment also includes annual costs related to preparation and collection of the roll each year totaling 8.75% (consisting of 2% for the Tax Collector fee, 2.75% for the tax roll and legal consultants, and a 4% adjustment for early tax bill payments). The annual payment will be included in the tax bill commencing with the bill to be mailed in November 2027.
The project has been designed, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection construction permit has been received, cost proposals were received and Felix Civil Construction, LLC will be awarded the contract for the underground construction and for construction of the vacuum pump station and site work.
A staff level workshop was held on December 2, 2025 and all the benefitted property owners were mailed invitations to the workshop.
The notice for this hearing was advertised in The Stuart News and individual notices of the public hearing were mailed to each property owner proposed to be assessed at the mailing address indicated on the tax roll and given instructions on how to participate in the Public Hearing through multimedia.
ISSUES:
To bring the individual assessments per ERC under $12,000, the County is contributing $1,500,000.00 from the FPL franchise fees and $1,051,421.00 from the State Revenue Sharing program. This money is already programmed into the current CIP.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
Chris Traber, the County’s Special Assessment Counsel, has prepared the resolution, reviewed the agenda item summary, and confirmed that the form of each is proper.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board adopt the Final Assessment Resolution to create the Coral Gardens Wastewater Municipal Service Benefit Unit.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Do not adopt the Final Assessment Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
No funds are required in addition to sources of funding programmed in the current CIP budget, as described in the Background section of this document. The construction of the project will be funded in part with proceeds from the State Revolving Fund loan. The $7,217,667.72 loan will be repaid fully from assessments collected from benefitting properties over a 20-year period.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.