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WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Treasure Coast News - St. Lucie County oceanfront taxpayers face new beach tax

St. Lucie County oceanfront taxpayers face new beach tax

HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Fla. -- Along the Treasure Coast, oceanfront taxpayers in St. Lucie County are faced with a new tax that would pay for dune and beach restoration.

The special tax woulld affect 5,200 homeowners out on Hutchinson Island. The difference this time is the county actually sent them a survey to check yes or no.

Surveyed by St. Lucie County, condo owner Judy Lamphere said no.

"There's so many people that come to the beach who don't live at the beach, and dont pay, that's one of the comments that was made here," said Lamphere.

Lamphere is not opposed to paying a special assessment or tax. But the tax ranges from $40 to up to $2,000 and some homeowners think it needs to more equitable among oceanfront dwellers.

"I don't mind spending a portion on it. I live here. I benefit from it," said Lamphere.

Some non-oceanfront taxpayers think oceanfront homeowners should pay more.

"I think its fair because they chose to live here," said Cherilynne Label.

The project would increase beach and dune widths on three miles of beaches, from the Martin County line north. $3.9 million would come from the special oceanfront beach tax. $4.6 million will come from state funding. Nearly $3 million from the county itself.

"Hurricane Wilma that was here, they brought in thousands and thousands of tons of sand and where did all of that go?" said Lamphere.

But so far the county's survey results show 55-percent of homeowners would tax themselves to restore beaches. Whether commissioners vote yes or no will be decided in June. Coastal engineers say if the tax is approved they'd like to start the project this fall. St. Lucie County oceanfront taxpayers face new beach tax

Tuesday, May 1 2012, 02:34 PM EDT

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