Land Acquisition and Management Program extended through 2049
Sarasota County voters overwhelmingly approved Sarasota County’s two referenda on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot, which sought support for the extension of the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and its Neighborhood Parkland Program (NPP), along with the ability to issue bonds to be repaid by the resulting tax revenue.
The unofficial results on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office website on Nov. 4 showed that 84.25% of the voters who marked the ballot question agreed to keep paying a 0.25-mil tax to provide the funding for what formally is called the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program. (One mil represents $1,000 of the value of a parcel.)
The ballot total on the tax question was 210,958, the unofficial results noted.
The bond question won approval of 78.68% of the 208,975 citizens who marked that one on their ballots.
A Nov. 4 county news release pointed out that the votes “will allow the county to continue its longstanding efforts to identify, maintain and protect environmentally sensitive lands, water resources and parkland for future generations.”
The release added that the tax formally was extended through Dec. 31, 2049.
The County Commission formally voted in April to place both referenda on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. At that time, Commissioner Teresa Mast, who made the motion, pointed out, ““What a premier public/private partnership this has been and, I believe, will continue to be.”
For those residents “who believe [the county is] overdeveloped,” Commissioner Mark Smith added in seconding the motion, “one way to curb that is to make sure that we protect the land. So everybody out there listening, please vote for these measures.”
Voters first were asked to approve the program in 1999, the Nov. 4 county news release noted. The program was renewed by referendum in November 2005, with the provision that part of the tax revenue could be allocated to the purchase of property suitable for serving as parkland for neighborhoods, as the county website explains.
“Through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), more than 100 properties totaling approximately 42,000 acres have been protected through land purchases and conservation easements,” the Nov. 4 news release pointed out.
“Additionally, 33 properties totaling 151 acres have been acquired through the Neighborhood Parkland Program (NPP), expanding existing parks and connecting residents to trails, waterways and beaches,” the release continued.
“Our residents have once again made it clear that protecting Sarasota County’s natural resources and open space is a priority,” said Shawn Yeager, director of the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, in the release.
The release added that county staff “will continue to evaluate potential properties through its established land acquisition process, with a focus on responsible stewardship of public resources and the long-term needs of our community and the environment.
For more information about the program, visit https://www.sarasotacountyparks.com/i-want-to/park-planning/land-acquisition-and-management-program.