MARTIN COUNTY CONTACTS/LINKS

HOW DO I GET UTILITIES CONNECTED?

In most areas, call Florida Power and Light Co. at (772) 287-5400 or visit the Web Site at www.fpl.com. There is a $14.88 service charge on new accounts, and deposits vary among types of homes and apartments, depending on credit history.

Call FPL to turn on service at least 24 hours in advance, Monday through Friday. To turn on electricity in a newly built home, FPL requires a certificate of occupancy from a city or county.

Other utility companies include:

• Martin County Utilities, at (772) 221-1434, provides water and sewer services. If the home has an existing water meter, there is a $50 deposit for water only. For both water and sewer, the deposit is $100. Residents are required to pay a $20 connection fee, if the service is scheduled in advance. An additional $45 fee is charged for same-day service. Information on the county's rates is available at www.martin.fl.us
• The city of Stuart, at (772) 288-5318, provides water, sewer and garbage service. A deposit of $20 for water, or $60 for water and sewer, is required. Outside the city limits, the deposit is $40 for water, or $85 for both water and sewer.

HOW DO I START GARBAGE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING?

Waste Management Inc., (772) 464-3100, serves portions of Martin county. Stuart residents should call the city's utilities department at (772) 461-6659.

HOW DO I GET CABLE SERVICE?

Comcast, (772) 461-6659, provides cable service. For information on rates and to establish service, visit www.comcast.com.
DirecTV, (800) 347-3288, or, if you are transferring DirecTV from another home, call (866) 929-8668. You also may visit the Web site at www.directv.com

HOW DO I GET PHONE SERVICE?

Call AT & T at (888) 757-6500. A connection fee of $45 is required if phone jacks are already in your home. BellSouth will install additional jacks for a charge, or jacks may be privately installed. A deposit, typically from $95 to $125, might be necessary, depending on your credit history.

HOW DO I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR SCHOOL?

Martin County, call (772) 219-1200, Ext. 30413, to find out which school your child will attend. Martin schools require proof of residency from all students, which can be a house deed, rental or lease agreement or utility bill that shows a service address. The child's health records are also required. More information on Martin County schools is available online at www.sbmc.org.

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

Martin County, visit the elections office at 135 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., call (772) 288-5637 or go to www.martinvotes.com. Residents also may register at the tax collector's office in Hobe Sound, while applying for a driver license, or at the elections office at 16550 S.W. Warfield Blvd., Indiantown. Call (772) 223-7921

HOW DO I GET A FLORIDA DRIVER LICENSE?

If you are a Florida resident, you are required to have a valid Florida driver license to drive. In Martin County, licenses are issued by the tax collector's office in two locations: 8971 S.E. Bridge Road, Hobe Sound and 100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. Road tests are offered only at the Hobe Sound site. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (772) 546-7097 or check the Web at http://taxcol.martin.fl.us.