Martin County seeks hazard-mitigation and transportation grants, approves large contracts
January 27, 2026 | Martin County, Florida
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Martin County officials outlined multiple grant applications and contract awards during the Jan. 27 meeting, and the board unanimously approved staff recommendations.
Office of Management and Budget director Stephanie Murley described four funding requests: permission to sign a maintenance agreement tied to a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) project for the Bessie Creek retrofit that has a requested authorization of $5,625,000 and a county match of $1,875,000; permission to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant of $3,860,000 for the Golden Gate Multimodal Corridor and Drainage Resilience Project with a match of $964,876 (a mix of in-kind and TIF/ecosystem capital funds); permission to apply for Drug-Free Communities support funding (continuation, $125,000 per year for five years to support local prevention efforts); and acceptance of an FDOT public-transportation grant of $120,000 for airport perimeter access and gate security with a 20% local match ($30,000).
Public works director Jim Gorton explained HMGP funding flows through Florida Department of Emergency Management, noting that mitigation funds are based on federal disaster-set-aside dollars administered by FDEM and that the Bessie Creek work is needed to increase drainage capacity in parts of Palm City Farms Watershed where downstream pipes currently restrict flow.
Procurement supervisor Natasha Sapp presented three contract awards for board approval: JW Cheatham LLC for a multimodal pathway ($1,493,276.20); Phoenix Fence Corp for correctional security fencing replacement ($1,199,336.60); and a five-year parks landscape maintenance continuing-services contract not to exceed $4,000,000 to TurfScape Enterprises, LLC. Commissioners noted an increase in competitive bidders for these projects; the board awarded the contracts unanimously.
The board unanimously accepted and authorized staff to execute the requested grant applications and contract documents.
Ending: Staff will proceed with formal grant applications and execute contracts; any grant awards will include required local matches that are budgeted or identified in capital plans.
Office of Management and Budget director Stephanie Murley described four funding requests: permission to sign a maintenance agreement tied to a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) project for the Bessie Creek retrofit that has a requested authorization of $5,625,000 and a county match of $1,875,000; permission to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant of $3,860,000 for the Golden Gate Multimodal Corridor and Drainage Resilience Project with a match of $964,876 (a mix of in-kind and TIF/ecosystem capital funds); permission to apply for Drug-Free Communities support funding (continuation, $125,000 per year for five years to support local prevention efforts); and acceptance of an FDOT public-transportation grant of $120,000 for airport perimeter access and gate security with a 20% local match ($30,000).
Public works director Jim Gorton explained HMGP funding flows through Florida Department of Emergency Management, noting that mitigation funds are based on federal disaster-set-aside dollars administered by FDEM and that the Bessie Creek work is needed to increase drainage capacity in parts of Palm City Farms Watershed where downstream pipes currently restrict flow.
Procurement supervisor Natasha Sapp presented three contract awards for board approval: JW Cheatham LLC for a multimodal pathway ($1,493,276.20); Phoenix Fence Corp for correctional security fencing replacement ($1,199,336.60); and a five-year parks landscape maintenance continuing-services contract not to exceed $4,000,000 to TurfScape Enterprises, LLC. Commissioners noted an increase in competitive bidders for these projects; the board awarded the contracts unanimously.
The board unanimously accepted and authorized staff to execute the requested grant applications and contract documents.
Ending: Staff will proceed with formal grant applications and execute contracts; any grant awards will include required local matches that are budgeted or identified in capital plans.
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