💼 Union Gets 5% Raise

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Fort Pierce commissioners approved a 5% or $1.20/hour raise for Teamsters Local 769 employees Thursday, rejecting the union's request for $1.60/hour and a compromise proposal of $1.45/hour.

Why it matters: The raise affects 139 city employees, with 79 workers making low enough wages that the hourly floor matters more than the percentage. The city's proposal costs $349,799; the union's would have cost $464,338.

The union's case: Representative Steve Myers argued the hourly floor helps lower-paid workers more than a flat percentage. Example: An employee making $18/hour gets a $1,872 annual raise under 5% versus $2,496 under the $1.60 floor.

The city's concerns: Commissioners cited budget constraints and potential property tax reform (House Bill 203) that could cost Fort Pierce $38 million annually if passed by voters.

What happened: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky proposed a compromise at $1.45/hour. It failed for lack of a second. The city's original proposal of $1.20/hour then passed 4 to 1, with Commissioner Arnold Gaines voting no.

The timing question: The union filed for impasse in September 2025. The city was notified in November but didn't schedule the hearing until March 5, 2026. Had the vote happened before year end, property tax reform wouldn't have been part of the discussion.

What's next: Union contract negotiations begin again in a few months.

💬 Should Fort Pierce have approved the union's request? Leave your thoughts here.

The state warned Fort Pierce in December that Little Jim Bait and Tackle has 1,425 square feet of docks and decks built over state property without permits plus another 1,458 square feet on private land also built without permits. Neither the city nor the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are saying much about what happens next, though the unpermitted structures could be ordered removed and the city could face civil penalties.

👉 Read more (Hometown News)

St. Lucie County commissioners heard the first reading of Indrio Groves on Tuesday night, a 1,027 acre development planned off Indrio Road near I-95 that's been in the works since 2004. Commissioners voted to continue the item to April 7th where they'll take up the development agreement and a final vote.

👉 Learn more

Martin County is putting nearly $1.8 million into restoring the House of Refuge, the county's oldest building from 1876 and the only one of its kind left in Florida that sheltered shipwrecked sailors. The building was considered in historic ruin with deteriorated roof, flooring and windows, and has been closed 10 months with construction wrapping up in April and hopes to reopen four to six weeks later.

👉 Read more (WPTV)

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See you Monday!
With Love, Ja’Min

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