Claudia Knippel

Martin County is one of 67 counties in Florida and was established by an Act of the Florida Legislature in 1925. It was named for John W. Martin, Governor of Florida from 1925 to 1929. By the authority of the Constitution of the State of Florida, the Martin County Board of County Commissioners shares the functions of government with Martin County’s Constitutional Officers. Martin County’s five Commissioners are each elected to serve a four-year term. These terms are staggered and each member is elected at-large but represents a geographic district within the county. The Chairperson of the Commission is elected annually by the other Board members and presides over all Board meetings. The Board meets on several Tuesdays each month and all meetings are open to the public. The Board of County Commissioners has responsibility for the provision of general government services (fire/rescue, library services, building inspections), oversees the development of infrastructure (roads, utilities, parks), and determines regulations regarding zoning and land use provisions. The Board is also responsible for determining the millage rate (tax on real property) to fund all functions of County government with the exception of the Tax Collector and most court-related functions. The Board of County Commissioners is a policymaking board and they approve the County’s operating and capital budgets, pass ordinances, and take actions that provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Martin County.