TAVARES, Fla. – Lake County will take the next step in putting a measure on the November ballot to continue funding county land conservation.
In 2004, 71% of county voters passed a referendum to issue bonds, with the money used to buy land for preservation, create parks and trails, and protect drinking water sources and springs. Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Ferndale Preserve are some of the areas that were acquired through the referendum over the years.
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County commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to have ballot language drafted to ask voters to renew that measure.
If approved by voters again, it would mean property owners would continue to pay about $21 a year for 20 years on their tax bill, based on the median residential property value in the county.
Commissioners heard largely supportive statements from several residents.
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“Every day we witness the worsening state of our natural environments from across the globe, from deforestation to pollution the threats facing our planet are real and imminent,” Sophie Ressler, a junior at Montverde Academy, told commissioners Tuesday. “As a resident of Lake County, I have been fortunate to experience firsthand the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds us. I can’t bear the thought of future generations growing up without the opportunity to appreciate and cherish the same wonders that have shaped my own life in many ways.”
Others were supportive of the measure, but said they were concerned about how the money had been spent in the past and requested better auditing and getting more stakeholders involved in the landbuying process.
District 4 Commissioner Leslie Campione agreed and said that was something to be talked about if the measure was again approved.
“I think we need to look at the larger picture, how do we make this work in a way that creates these spaces for generations to come?” Campione said.
District 5 Commissioner Josh Blake voted in favor of moving forward with the measure, but had his own criticisms, questioning whether the government needed to be involved.
“34% of Lake County is already in permanent conservation,” Blake said. “Land can already be acquired and dedicated to conservation privately without going through this process. It will result in the removal of land from the tax roll so that will be a revenue consideration for the county.”
District 2 Commissioner Sean Parks said he was very supportive because the issue was about balance.
“This is an issue that is very unifying, it’s across the party lines with this issue about growth management and what we could potentially be losing here on the negative side of the growth if we’re not careful,” Parks said.
Once the staff drafts the ballot measure, there will be another public hearing, and then commissioners will take a final vote. Three out of the five commissioners must approve the measure to get it on the November ballot.
Information from Anchor Lisa Bell contributed to this report.
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