AWARDS
measures of progress toward accomplishing the mission,
goals and objectives of citywide departments and elected
officials and organization, Port St. Lucie is one of only 20
municipalities out of 1,123 awarded the Government Finance
Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award to also receive special recognition for presenting outstanding
Port St. Lucie Magazine 21
measures of performance.
Safest Place to Live: Money Inc. says Port St. Lucie is the
fourth safest place to live in the United States. When the
listing was created in August it stated: “There are 112 violent
crimes and 958 property crimes per one hundred thousand
residents.” The other two Florida cities named were Cape
Coral, No. 16, and Coral Springs at No. 20.
Florida League of Cities president: For the first time in
the city’s history a council member is in line to become the
league’s president. Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo will
become president in two years. She was named second vice
president for 2020-21. The league, in existence for 98 years,
focuses on the impact local citizens and leaders can have on
improving their communities.
25th Best Place to Retire: The financial site Wallet Hub
surveyed 180 communities and decided that Port St. Lucie is
the 25th best place to retire in the United States. The city is
affordable and friendly, offers access to good healthcare and
is considered a safe place to live. The county offers a property
tax exemption for seniors, too.
Adopt-a-Street Volunteer honored: For leadership and
dedication to community, resident Danielle Hightower was
honored with the Outstanding Youth Champion award by
Keep Florida Beautiful, the parent organization of Keep Port
St. Lucie Beautiful. Now 18, she began picking up litter as part
of Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Adopt-a-Street program when
she was 14. As time went on she created a group of students
who worked with her. Today’s young people are the next generation
of environmental champions, Hightower says.
Opioid Epidemic Awareness Forum Nets Award: The
2020 Innovation in Health Award from the Florida Parks and
Recreation Association went to Port St. Lucie. The Opioid
Epidemic Awareness Forum presented the history of opioids
and explained how to tell if a friend or family member was
showing signs of addiction. It included suggestions on what
to do and possible treatments. The award honors successful
programs on various topics that advance knowledge.
A Fast Growing City Still Affordable for Home Buyers: A
financial site called LendEDU ranked 1,000 fast-growing cities
across the nation according to their affordability for home
buyers planning for a mortgage. The idea is to find a city or
a town where mortgages are affordable and the homeowner
can make a profit when it is time to sell. Port St. Lucie was
ranked at No. 63 out of 118 cities named in Florida.
City Wins Voice of the People Award for its outstanding
efforts to engage its residents in planning for the future. The
strategic planning process includes the annual National Com- >>
Port St. Lucie is the 3rd
best place to retire in Florida.
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
Residents feel strongly about keeping their city sparkling clean. More than 100 volunteers pick up litter on a regular basis.