Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Port St. Lucie public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in taxes budget with critical priority
FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget and Millage
The new budget funds police, parks, road repaving, stormwater and water systems while cutting taxes. The city's infrastructure needs outpace its capital budget — 190 project requests totaling $1.7 billion were narrowed to 112 critical projects costing $1.1 billion over five years.
Amendment 3 Property Tax Reform
The November ballot amendment would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 then $250,000 — costing the city an estimated $48 million over two years, essentially leaving property taxes to cover little more than policing. Council debated it heavily; Councilman Bonna said he'd personally vote for it while warning of statewide fiscal pain, and the lobbyist flagged legal and implementation flaws.
Distribution of $24 Million Waste Pro Settlement Funds
The city won $24 million in a settlement over the failed Waste Pro trash contract, and the council decided how every dollar gets back to residents: a tiered refund ($364 for long-time homeowners, $64 for newer arrivals, plus a claims process) delivered as a property tax credit rather than checks. The decision affects roughly 95,000 households and how their solid waste assessment appears on this year's tax bill.