Land conservation is on the ballot for Clay County voters
Clay County residents will have the chance this election season to vote on whether they want to raise taxes for land conservation within the county.
The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit organization that helps communities create parks and protect public land, said the proposed referendum would authorize $45 million in bonds that would go toward land conservation to help protect water quality and conserve wildlife habitat, natural areas, and working forests and farms.
A feasibility study assembled by the Trust for Public Land said the bonds would generate around $3.3 million for the county annually.
The study said the bonds would be paid for through a millage increase of 0.2 mills. A mill equals $1 for $1,000 of assessed value on a home.
The study said the bonds would cost the average homeowner — in this case, it's defined as a single-family residence — $33 a year over the life of the bond, which is 20 years. The study calculated the cost of $33 a year based on the $166,899 average taxable value for a single-family home in the county.
The feasibility study said the county needs to have more conserved land to keep up with efforts in similar counties in the state.
"To reach the statewide average for locally owned conservation land of 1.5%, the county should seek to expand its conservation lands by preserving an additional 5,936 acres. To reach the state average of 32% in total conservation, it should encourage and partner with state and federal partners to preserve an additional 110,000 acres," the feasibility study said.
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The following language is how it will appear on the ballot.
"To acquire and manage lands that protect water quality in rivers, lakes, creeks, and drinking water sources; conserve wildlife habitat, natural areas, and working forests and farms; reduce flooding; and provide outdoor recreation, shall Clay County issue general obligation bonds up to $45 million, maturing within 20 years, bearing interest not exceeding legal maximum rates, payable from ad valorem tax up to 0.2 mills, with annual audits, citizen oversight, and full public disclosure of spending?"
Voters will have the option to choose yes or no to the question.
This referendum was placed onto the November general election ballot July 23 during a Clay County commissioners vote 5-0 in July to put the referendum on the ballot.
During the meeting, Commissioner Betsy Condon helped to clarify what the referendum would do for voters.
"We're asking the voters about conservation, so if you don't want to pay 0.2 mills towards conservation, you'll vote no in November. If you want to put 0.2 mills towards conservation, you'll vote yes in November," Condon said.
The Clay County Supervisor of Elections said the referendum needs only a simple majority of voters to be enacted.
In-person early voting begins in Clay County on Tuesday at seven early voting locations. The seven early voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Nov. 3.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Polls will be open in Florida from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mail-in ballots are due to the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
