Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Monday! And here’s a Publix review that you didn’t ask for!
I finally made my way over to the Riverland Publix, and upon my visit I noticed a few things. First, Riverland is really far. I was unaware just how deep the drive was. The Publix was typically nothing to write home about, I had it in my head they would have one of those full gourmet hot bars with all different types of food and what not, but I don’t think the space allowed for that.
The upstairs is nice though, overlooking the parking lot. Publix and Aldis over in that area make sense given how far everything else is, so I get it. Alright…
🎥 Video You Should Watch: I broke down how the City of PSL is literally planting trees in people’s names. If you’ve ever cleaned up a lot, planted a garden, or helped something grow, you might qualify. Watch here.
🎟️ Big thank you to Mike Knauer for joining the People Pass crew. Membership helps us keep Sunland going, growing, and free. Want in? Join here.
🌡️ Weather Update: Dry skies, sharp sun
🌤️ Day: High of 90°F | A mix of clouds and sun. Winds ENE at 10–15 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 75°F | Partly cloudy and calm. Winds NE at 5–10 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:42 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:12 PM
🌔 Moonrise: 9:24 AM | 🌘 Moonset: 10:16 PM
🎶 Sounds like: “Elevators (Me & You)” – OutKast
Ja’Min Devon
🚨 Sponsored: 📕 Yates want to give you FREE Guide!
You can never plan too much. That’s why Yates Funeral Home is giving Sunland readers a free guide to help you make more thoughtful decisions for yourself or for loved ones. No pressure. Just helpful info.
🏡 Main Squeeze: Millage Cut Pushed. Board Holds The Line.
TLDR: Property taxes have been a hot topic as of late (and I’m sure forever). St. Lucie County has the highest property taxes of any county in Florida. Just last week, we covered a potential increase in Fort Pierce. So when a cut gets mentioned, even a small one, people pay attention.
At the July 22 meeting, the County Commission voted to keep the millage rate flat for now, but a new proposal to lower the general fund rate by one tenth of a mill is officially on the table. They can still cut it in September. They just cannot raise it once TRIM notices go out in August.
🧮 The Pitch to Cut: A local CPA told the board the cut would cost about 4.02 million dollars after deductions. He pointed to:
A projected 90.4 million dollar fund balance
Underspending patterns that typically leave money on the table
Room to safely absorb the reduction without cutting any services
🏛 County Staff’s Take: Staff said they had not seen the proposal and asked for time to double-check the math. They also reminded the board the current draft budget is already 3 million dollars in the red and warned that other major costs, like potential airport land purchases, would compete for the same reserves.
🗣 Commissioner Views: Some were all in on a cut now. Others said let staff review it first but made clear they will push for a reduction come September. The board ultimately voted to tentatively keep the rate flat, giving themselves time to do the homework.
📬 What This Means for You
TRIM notices go out mid August with the current rate
Hearings to finalize rates and budgets are September 4 and 18 at 6 p.m.
The board can still lower the rate in September but cannot raise it
📝 Have a Take? Should the County go ahead and cut the rate now or wait to confirm the numbers? Leave your thoughts
🍊 Press Round: Planes, Pressure, and a Pending Crunch
✈️ International Flights Land in Vero
Vero Beach Airport now welcomes international arrivals thanks to a brand new customs facility, seven years in the making. The move is expected to boost airport traffic by 30 percent and make it easier for locals and visitors to fly abroad.
💰 Salvation Army Faces $1M Shortfall
The Salvation Army of Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties is nearly one million dollars short of its budget and may begin cutting vital services like food assistance, utility help, and transitional housing by August if support doesn’t come through.
📉 Stuart Warns of Budget Gap
Stuart is projecting a $3.9 million deficit for its 2026 budget despite rising property values. Officials are debating whether to keep the city’s millage rate flat or lower it, with cuts to staff and services looming unless more revenue is found.
🤩 People Pass: I’m Starting a Podcast!
Sunland is launching a new weekly podcast. One episode every week with everything that actually mattered in St. Lucie. The news. The events. The culture.
The audio will be free for everyone. The video will be only for People Pass members.
If you’re already in, thank you. If not, this is a good time to jump in.
🎉 Weekdayer: 5 Weekday Events!
Monday, July 28
🤝 The Warm-Up: Prime at Meating Street – Casual meet-and-greet on the patio with cocktails and conversation. | 7 PM | Free to attend (food/drink available for purchase) | Details
Thursday, July 31
🧑💼 Business Networking Event (PSL Business Club – 2-Year Anniversary) – Red-white-blue theme, cash bar, door prizes. | 6–9 PM | $10 cash at the door | Details
Friday, August 1
🎨 Sip, Paint & Create – Adults Night Out! – Make a body butter, cologne or perfume; wine, vibes & fundraising for Spartans 10U. | 7 PM | $40 | Details
😂 Hilarious Stand-up Comedy (Riverside Theatre) – Two nationally touring comedians in an intimate cabaret setup. | 6:30 PM | Varies | Details
🎬 Friday Drive-In Movie Nights: Thunderbolts – Treasure Coast Park & Watch; gates 7 PM, movie 8:30 PM; sound on FM 87.9. | 8:30 PM (gates 7 PM) | $19 per vehicle online / $18 cash at gate | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: 3 City Updates Before The Road!
🏊 Back-to-School Splash Jam Returns: Free pool parties with food, games, and music are coming to Ravenswood, Lakewood Park, and Boatwright Pools July 28–30 from 11–2 PM. Details
🗣️ What Should Fort Pierce Look Like in 2035? The city wants your input on its future. Join community workshops on Aug 6 or Oct 9 or fill out the quick survey online. Take the survey
🏙️ Live or Work in the FPRA District? Fort Pierce is looking for folks to join its redevelopment advisory board. Must live or own a business in the district. Deadline to apply is August 22. Apply here
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ Before I Let You Go!
Thank You To Everyone Here!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
📖 Thanks For Reading: How was today’s newsletter?
👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.
📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube
🙋♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!
