Good Morning, Sunland
It’s Monday! And we are almost at 800 people on the Sunland Instagram! This is my ask for you to give it a follow if you haven't already, help us get over the edge. Also I promise to make it worth your while. We are building up content like this that makes seeing us on social more diverse than just the things you see here in the newsletter! Alright…
🍰 Nothing Bundt Cakes is Opening: I never heard of this place until about 2 months ago. Seems interesting. I'm not a huge sweets person but definitely think it's worth trying at least once. Friday, September 12th at 10:30 AM they're having their ribbon cutting ceremony at 1707 St Lucie West Blvd in Port St Lucie. Check out the event details here.
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Huge thanks to Cindy for buying 5 coffees! She said "I am enjoying your newsletter not working right now so I have time to actually read the articles." Cindy, you're amazing! If you want to support the newsletter like Cindy, support here.
🛍️ Poll: Do you feel like local food influencers give “HONEST” food reviews?
🌦️ Weather Update: Cloudy and unsettled.
☀️ Day: High of 88°F | Partly cloudy early with thunderstorms
🌙 Night: Low of 73°F | Scattered thunderstorms in the evening
🌅 Sunrise: 7:03 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:33 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 8:13 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 7:51 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Send It On" — D'Angelo
Ja’Min Devon
📕 Sponsored: Tell Me if I’m Crazy…
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.
🧃 The Main Squeeze: St. Lucie County will cut property tax rate
Why it matters: Commissioners approved cutting the millage rate below 8 mills for the first time in years, delivering a small but symbolic victory in a county battling some of Florida's highest property taxes and a growing affordability crisis that seems to be pushing longtime residents out.
The big picture: The unanimous vote reduces the rate from 8.0219 to 7.9982 mills through a $1 million budget cut, extending a six-year streak of rate reductions. But the modest cut pales against resident demands for rollback rates that would slash taxes by $17.5 million.
By the numbers:
7.9982 mills: New tentative rate
0.0237 mills: Size of the reduction
$1 million: Budget cut to achieve the reduction
6 years: Consecutive years of millage rate cuts
$17.5 million: What cutting to rollback rate would save taxpayers
Reality check: The cut offers minimal relief as residents face crushing tax increases:
One homeowner's annual bill jumped from $1,900 to $2,800
Another saw an $8,000 spike after inheriting family property
Multiple residents testified they're being priced out of homes they've owned for decades
Some are leaving St. Lucie County entirely for areas with lower property taxes
What residents want: Speaker after speaker demanded commissioners roll back to the 7.6071 mill rate that would generate the same revenue as last year. One resident specifically called out excess fund balances, arguing the county should return money to taxpayers instead of sitting on reserves.
The county reality: Commissioners want deeper cuts but are proceeding cautiously, citing uncertainty over state property tax reform and federal mandates being pushed down to local governments. They also just approved a major funding increase for the sheriff's department.
The path forward: This is just the beginning of what commissioners describe as an ongoing efficiency push:
Annual $1 million minimum cuts through productivity studies
Departmental reviews to find waste and inefficiencies
Technology investments to reduce operational costs
Potential return to rollback rates next year with proper planning time
What's next: The September 18 final budget hearing could bring additional cuts if staff identifies more savings. Commissioners explicitly left the door open for further reductions before finalizing the budget, with pressure mounting from residents demanding more aggressive action.
Leave your thoughts here…
🍊 Press Round: Waves, Woes & Wants
🏄 $30M Surf Park Approved for Fellsmere
The small city greenlit "The Point Surf Park," a massive artificial wave facility expected to create 160+ jobs and generate $8 million in visitor spending. While parents like the new activities for kids, some worry about traffic on already-crowded State Road 512.
📚 Fort Pierce School Stiffs Teachers on Pay
Creative Learning Lab Academy told staff it can't cover payroll due to delayed scholarship funding, forcing about 10 employees to quit and class sizes to balloon. The private school blames Step Up For Students for funding delays, but the nonprofit says it's not aware of any delays for this school.
🛒 Want That Costco? Here's How to Ask
TCPalm dug into how big chains decide where to expand, finding that over 95% of existing retail buildings are occupied, leaving slim pickings for new stores. Your best bet is checking company websites for location request portals, though there's no guarantee they'll listen.
🎉 Weekdayer: 8 Events To Check Out This Week!
Monday, Sep 8
💃 Adult Dance Classes at We've Got HEART – Multiple classes: Mon 6:30 PM Praise Dance, Tue 6:30 PM Yoga with Caleta + 7:30 PM Hip Hop with Ego, Thu 6:30 PM Femme-Hop with Alley | $10 drop-in | Details
Tuesday, Sep 9
🤝 Monthly Networking Breakfast – Chamber breakfast sponsored by White Glove at Gator Trace Golf & Country Club | 8:15 AM | $17 RSVP required | Details
Thursday, Sep 11
Friday, Sep 12
🏊 Welcome to the River Pool Party – Student Life high-energy pool party at Massey Campus Aquatics Complex | 1–3 PM | Free | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: City, Chief, and Checkout
🏗️ Fort Pierce redevelopment update – FPRA September report highlights infrastructure upgrades and economic development milestones. New grants and projects outlined. Read summary
🤝 PSL vendor expo – City seeks business partnerships at October 8th expo. Meet department reps from 9-11am at Community Center. Learn more
🏄 Ron Jon founder passes away – Surf shop icon Ron DiMenna passes at 88. One of the logos I always see, but never knew the history. Full story
👮 Fort Pierce police chief search – City seeks public input on new chief qualifications through September 22nd survey. Salary range $128k-$212k. Take survey
🛒 Grocery prices surge – Coffee up 22%, eggs 20%, bacon 9% year-over-year. Butter and cookies dropped significantly. Supply chain pressures cited. Price data
📸 This is Sunland: ✌️ People Finish!
I forgot about this photo! Still one of my favorites!
See you tomorrow!
With Love, Ja’Min
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