County Commission District 5 Chair

Cathy is a Florida native and has been a St. Lucie County resident for over 30 years, and has established herself as a small business owner. Having owned and operated an assisted living facility for eleven years, and a bed and breakfast for 10 years. She understands the challenges that face the local small business community. Working full time as County Commissioner, District 5, her husband James "Bud" King runs the day to day operations of their currently owned Flat Land Mowing company. 

Cathy believes that public service is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal gains.

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.  By 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 sustainability of a 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.