County Commission District 5 Chair
Lower Taxes
Champion of Small Businesses
Voice for the People
What Cathy Stands for
Lower Taxes
- The median property tax in St. Lucie County, Florida is $2,198 per year for a home worth the median value of $177,200. St. Lucie County collects, on average, 1.24% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax.
- St. Lucie County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, and is ranked 362nd of the 3143 counties in order of median property taxes.
- The average yearly property tax paid by St. Lucie County residents amounts to about 4.39% of their yearly income. St. Lucie County is ranked 148th of the 3143 counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.
Make St. Lucie County More Small Business Friendly
- Commissioner Townsend was successful in 2018 to pass a local bill to benefit small businesses in the restaurant industry. Lowering the footage of the business to allow for a full alcohol license instead of just beer and wine, which created a large increase in revenue to the sustainability of the business.
- Supporting the St. Lucie County Business Navigator which helps the county implement it's commitment to quality job creation and economic growth by:
_Helping job creators start up, relocate, or expand in St. Lucie County
_Acting as an advocate an concierge to businesses
_Marketing st. Lucie County
_Promote activities that improve the economy and create jobs at all levels
_Develop our workforce
Transparency
- In 2019 Townsend publicly spoke out about the $156, 133 in past due rent and utilities owed to the county by the owner of Sprinter Van City. Townsend said, “It amounts to stealing from taxpayers. How many other businesses would like to (operate) rent-free on county-owned property and have the county pay their utility bills?”
Our Future
- Embracing Urban Farming, Homeschooling and 4-H by supporting backyard chickens. 'Chickens are very important to people for natural pest control, fertilizer, and fresh eggs, and chickens are great for children and 4-H programs," Townsend stated. Residents are allowed to have a maximum of five hens as long as they are kept fully enclosed in the backyard portion of their properties. The coop, run or hen house must provide at least four square feet per chicken, be no larger than 80 square feet, and have a maximum height of six feet. The structure must also be located a minimum of 10 feet from property lines and at least 25 feet from any neighboring house. Chickens are very low maintenance.
- Culvert Assistance Program Unfortunately, there are thousands of failed driveway culvert pipes in unincorporated St. Lucie County. These culverts are important as they help drain runoff and stormwater out of neighborhoods. The price tag to replace a driveway culvert can be $4,000 and up. To help offset that expense, Cathy Townsend created the St. Lucie County Culvert Assistance Program in 2021, which offers deferred payments to the homeowner so the expense of a culvert replacement becomes part of your yearly taxes and is spread over a 10-year period. Cathy, along with her fellow Board Members hopes to assist residents through a financial mechanism which will lessen the up-front cost of this important home improvement project.
- Lakewood Park Drainage Since 2019, Cathy Townsend has been conducting Townhall meetings in Lakewood Park with the aim of enlightening its residents about the historical issues surrounding water drainage, as well as the adverse impacts of water erosion and quality. A crucial aspect of her discussions involved elucidating the advantages of Lakewood Park's inclusion in the Fort Pierce Farms Water District, which would help mitigate the outflow of water from the area. Thanks to the efforts of Cathy Townsend, this ambitious project, costing millions of dollars, became the first in St. Lucie County to receive complete funding from a combination of the half-cent sales tax and grants. These funds covered infrastructure expenses.
- SLC Homeless Shelter Cathy Townsend has long held a fervent desire to establish a homeless shelter in St. Lucie County. Over the past two years, with the backing of her fellow commissioners, she has successfully elevated this project to a position of high importance. Now, as she embarks on her final term, Cathy is motivated by her determination to witness the realization of this endeavor.
Donate to Cathy's Campaign
I firmly believe that every individual should have the chance to participate in fulfilling employment and gain assets that enable their families to provide support and thrive economically. Please consider supporting my campaign so that I can continue supporting you.
Community Involvement
Fire Safety
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Boards and Committees - Current
- Board of County Commissioners, Chair
- Erosion District, Vice Chair
- Public Safety Coordinator Council
- Transportation Planning Organization
- Law Library Board of Trustees
- Mosquito Control - Chair
- Treasure Coast Education Research Development Authority
- Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
- Transportation Disadvantage Local Coordinating Board, Chair
- Life Builders Board
- Affordable Housing Committee
- Independence Classical Charter School Board
- County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Caloosahatchee Estuaries (Alternate)
- Value Adjustment Board, (Alternate)
- Homelessness Advisory Committee
Boards and Committees - Past
- Tourist Development Council, Chair
- Sustainability District-Vice Chair
- Chamber of Commerce
- Treasure Coast Workforce Consortium
- Property & Homeowners Associations, Chair
- Workforce Development Board of Treasure Coast
- Mosquito Control
- Canvassing Board
- Value Adjustment Board, Chair
- Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Secretary
- Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Chairman 2022
- Police Athletic League of Fort Pierce Board
- Miss America Board
- League of Women Voters, President