Martin County takes Brightline spat with Stuart to state conflict-resolution process
MARTIN COUNTY — County officials will try to resolve a legal showdown with Stuart through negotiations and possibly mediation before deciding whether to sue the city.
County commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday — with Commissioner Eileen Vargas dissenting — to seek a solution through the Florida Governmental Conflict Resolution Act, which requires meetings and meditation between governments before litigation.
Martin County contends that Stuart is legally obligated to support, in writing, the county's effort to get grant money to build a Brightline station in downtown Stuart. That's one issue of contention.
Stuart officials so far have far essentially ignored the demand.
"The end goal is to get a letter of support," County Administrator Don Donaldson told county commissioners Tuesday.
Brief history of the dispute
Martin County in November, and again this month, asked Stuart to support its efforts to get grants to build a Brightline station.
County officials claim Stuart is breaching a legal agreement by failing to provide the support, such as a letter. And the county is seeking more than one letter because it is applying for more than one grant.
The Stuart City Commission on Jan. 13 heard from City Manager Michael Mortell, who received this month's request from Donaldson. Mortell sought direction from the City Commission but got none.
Why press on?
But wasn't $6 million already spent on a lawsuit, Vargas asked county administrators at Tuesday's meeting, likely referring to the suit by Martin County and citizen group CARE FL — Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida — and Brightline that ended in a settlement in 2018.
"But that has nothing to do with this," County Attorney Sarah Woods told Vargas.
"We have a contract with the city," Woods said, which later Commission Chair Sarah Heard reminded board members.
A contract
"You can't break binding agreements," Heard said.
What if the county decided it wanted to forego its contract with the firefighters, she asked hypothetically.
A letter under duress
Even if the county got a letter of support from Stuart commissioners ... "it would be under duress," County Commissioner Ed Ciampi said.
And that could be ineffective at providing the support Martin County wants or needs to secure a grant, he said, because officials in Washington, D.C., will see it was delivered under threat.
City reaction
It's a poor idea to try to get a letter of support under duress, Stuart Vice Mayor Christopher Collins said Tuesday. He appreciated comments by Vargas and Ciampi, he said by phone following the County Commission meeting.
But Stuart Mayor Campbell Rich said the city "will follow the letter of the law" regarding the resolution process.
"We will make every effort to ensure the greatest benefit to the taxpayers of Stuart and Martin County," Rich said.
The county also contends the Stuart must promote the reestablishment of passenger rail in its boundaries because the city's growth plan requires it.
Grant money on hold?
But the grant money Martin County is seeking may be on hold. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump late Monday put federal grants and loans on hold, which may affect those Martin County is seeking through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration.
On Tuesday, however, a U.S. District Court judge in Washington, D.C., put that freeze on hold until they could be vetted by the White House.
More:Martin County Fair to stay put again in '25, but still eyeing move to western fairgrounds
More:Stuart doesn't blink in spat with Martin County over applications for Brightline grants
The resolution process
The Florida Governmental Conflict Resolution Act allows for a private meeting where Stuart and Martin County assess the conflict. Then a public meeting may be held, if necessary. Mediation would follow the public meeting, if required.
The whole process could take three to four months to work through.
Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com and at 720-288-6882.
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