OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Twenty years ago, Osceola County voters agreed to use a portion of real estate taxes to fund a land conservation program.
Since then, with this program, the county has acquired over 3,300 acres of land to protect water resources and preserve wildlife habitats, according to the county website.
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Areas such as Shingle Creek Regional Park and Lake Lizzie were acquired through this program, according to its website.
This referendum is back on the ballot this year for renewal. Here are the details.
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Bonds To Renew Environmental Lands Conservation Program And To Improve And Protect Water Quality
BALLOT LANGUAGE:
From the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections: To renew Osceola County’s environmentally sensitive lands program, for purposes of preserving lands from development by acquiring, managing, restoring and improving natural areas for protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, and providing passive recreation, shall Osceola County issue bonds up to $70 million, maturing within twenty years, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal rate, payable from a renewed levy of the current 0.25 mill ad valorem tax, with full public disclosure of all spending?
BREAKING DOWN THE REFERENDUM:
Osceola County is asking for voters to approve issuing bonds up to $70 million to continue funding the Environmental Lands Conservation Program for the next 20 years.
This program is dedicated to protecting and preserving natural land across the county, according to its website.
The ballot also mentions that the county would pay back the bonds using a portion of the ad valorem tax.
According to the tax collector’s website, “the ad valorem taxes on real property are collected by the Tax Collector on a yearly basis.”
BOTTOM LINE:
A “YES” vote on the bond referendum means you are in favor of Osceola County using a portion of funds from real estate taxes on land conservation.
A “NO” vote on the bond referendum means you are against Osceola County using a portion of funds from real estate taxes on land conservation.