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County Administrator
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Dear Citizens of St. Lucie County:
The year 2000 came in like a lamb with no Y2K glitches. I want to take
this opportunity to thank Dennis Wetzel, Information Technology Director
and his staff for doing an outstanding job. We were well prepared. Our
economic growth activities continued with the county financially
participating in the Pursuit Boats expansion, the relocation of
Mirabella Yachts, Aviation Division to the county airport and Convergys
locating a customer contact center at the Orange Blossom Mall. These
three projects are bringing an estimated eleven hundred (1100) new jobs
to our community. Several key capital projects were begun in 2000. They
include the new Regional Football/Soccer Stadium in St. Lucie West, the
Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit in Fort Pierce and the clearing of
the new fairgrounds in the west central part of the county. |
Douglas Anderson
County Administrator
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During the year we were faced with
challenges. Our tax base declined because of settlements to property
assessment challenges by two (2) of the county's largest taxpayers
decreasing their taxable value. The county continues to grow at a rapid
pace putting increased pressure on county services. We need to change
how we operate. County staff put together a plan of action presented to
the Board of County Commissioners in early 2001. We did this with the
input of the Citizen Budget Committee and Constitutional Officers. We
also need to continue to partnership with other governmental agencies
and private industry. St. Lucie County School Superintendent Dr. Bill
Vogel and myself spoke this past October at the International City/
County Management Association's Annual Conference held in Cincinnati on
"Partnerships in Governance". We discussed the over eighteen
million dollars ($18,000,000) in projects that we are jointly
participating in. Private industry and the cities of Ft. Pierce and Port
St. Lucie have become willing partners and major players in several
capital projects. We plan to expand on these partnerships in the future.
Another long term answer to the financial success of St. Lucie County is
economic development. In the year 2000 the Economic Development Council
of St. Lucie County was formed to pursue outside industry and in turn
increase the tax base and jobs for our community. The county will be
working with this new organization and contributing financially to it.
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Robert Bradshaw
Assistant County
Administrator
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As
previously mentioned, we are faced with many challenges. But, we
continue to meet our challenges and with proper planning we will make
St. Lucie County a community where we can recreate, shop and work at
good paying jobs while at the same time maintain the quality of life
that we are accustomed to. We appreciate everyone's support.
Sincerely,
Douglas M. Anderson
County Administrator
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