Stuart City Commission voted to form a committee to prioritize how to spend roughly $2.7 million a year in sales tax money earmarked to purchase environmentally sensitive lands like the undeveloped wetlands and scrubby forest seen in this picture on Sept. 28, 2026, just north of Haney Creek Park along Southeast Green River Parkway. Commissioner Merritt Matheson referenced the possibility of using the sales tax money to buy land north of the Haney Creek Nature Preserve, along with a list of 20-30 potential properties. Stuart will receive the funds through the Martin County Forever land acquisition program.

Stuart City Commission voted to form a committee to prioritize how to spend roughly $2.7 million a year in sales tax money earmarked to purchase environmentally sensitive lands like the undeveloped wetlands and scrubby forest seen in this picture on Sept. 28, 2026, just north of Haney Creek Park along Southeast Green River Parkway. Commissioner Merritt Matheson referenced the possibility of using the sales tax money to buy land north of the Haney Creek Nature Preserve, along with a list of 20-30 potential properties. Stuart will receive the funds through the Martin County Forever land acquisition program.

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USA TODAY Network, Reuters

STUART – A citizens committee here will prioritize how to spend nearly $3 million a year in sales tax money earmarked to purchase environmentally sensitive lands.

Stuart will receive roughly $2.7 million a year through the Martin County Forever land-acquisition program, a voter-approved half-percent sales tax dedicated to acquiring and permanently preserving environmentally sensitive lands throughout Martin County.

City commissioners agreed Sept. 28 to form a seven-member committee, similar to the county’s Environmental Lands Oversight Committee, which was formed in February 2025. City Commissioner Merritt Matheson has been working with Stuart Environment Attorney Ruth Holmes on the proposal for the committee, which the commission agreed to call SALT (Sustainable Acquisition of Lands Tomorrow).

The committee would evaluate existing properties, rank them and then bring them to the City Commission. Matheson estimated there would be at least 20-30 potential properties for purchase within the city limits. The city might use the money to buy land north of the Haney Creek Nature Preserve.

City commissioners will choose five of the members; and possibly a city staff person, the city manager or Holmes will choose an individual with an environmental science and another with a real estate background.

“I want to follow the will of the voters,” Matheson told TCPalm.

Florida county makes buying environmental lands priority

Matheson wants to see the city negotiate with multiple property owners simultaneously instead of individually.

The Martin County Commission created its Environmental Lands Oversight Committee, composed of nine appointed citizens, to provide citizen oversight and guide the county in making informed decisions about land acquisitions. Matheson sits on the county ELOC.

That committee is charged with:

Reviewing and evaluating land-acquisition proposals from willing sellers, making sure the properties chosen offer the greatest environmental benefit based on a set of carefully considered criteria within the four focus areas: Blueways, Indian River Lagoon South, Loxahatchee/St. Lucie Headwaters, and Pal-Mar Wetlands.Review of county staff’s scientific/environmental studies, ensuring acquisitions support water quality, wildlife habitat, drinking water protection and recreation.Serving as the primary advisory body to the County Commission and making recommendations on land purchases.

Martin County voters approve sales tax for land buys

Approved by roughly 64% of voters in November 2024, the half-percent sales tax took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and runs for 10 years, through 2034. It raises $18 million to $20 million annually countywide and could generate more than $220 million total when combined with state and federal grants, according to the program.

Since the the environmental sales tax was passed, the county has preserved more than 2,000 acres of natural lands. One $17 million project protected 1,700-1,900 acres of the Bar-B Ranch through a conservation easement, combining $5 million in local sales-tax funds with state support from the Florida Forever Program.

Tim O’Hara is TCPalm’s Martin County watchdog, environment and fisheries reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida city forms committee to prioritize buying sensitive lands

Reporting by Timothy O’Hara, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers

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This story was originally published September 30, 2026 at 5:08 AM.