Florida House to consider bill that would redraw border between St. Lucie and Martin counties

STUART, Fla. -- Lou Benson wants to map out a new future for his Beau Rivage neighborhood. While it sits in St. Lucie County, he says it belongs in Martin County.

"So when we call 911, lots of times the operators will say you should be calling Martin County, not St. Lucie County, and this has caused a number of delays in ambulance service and also in sheriff's service," said Benson.

These homes, some neighbors say, are in geographic limbo. They have Martin County zip codes, but Saint Lucie County claims them. 

"We're really an isolated, remote out parcel from St. Lucie County," said Benson, "And as one of the neighbors said, we're deep in Martin County." 

"We use all of the Martin County facilities, and we do all of our shopping in Martin County," said Benson's next door neighbor Peter Beier.

A petition went around to the 250 homes on the enclave, and 86 percent of homeowners said they wanted to become Martin County residents.

The fight went to Tallahassee, and a House committee gave them the go ahead.

St. Lucie County spokesperson Terry Lewis was on the other side of the argument.

"This, in my opinion, is a local issue," said Lewis. "The counties have not had a chance to work this out."

Next stop for the debate is the House floor. If the bill passes, St. Lucie County could lose property tax revenue from the neighborhood. It totals $1.2 million, but Benson argues the amount the county actually gets to keep is far less.