PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (ELOC) GUIDANCE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
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The purpose of this item is to seek guidance from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regarding the structure and function of the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC). The establishment of an ELOC was mandated by Ordinance #1221, which authorized the 2024 Conservation Lands Sales Tax Referendum. This ordinance proposed a 0.5 cent sales tax on specific purchases for a ten-year period. A key requirement of the ordinance is the formation of a nine-member citizen oversight committee tasked with reviewing, evaluating, and recommending potential conservation land acquisitions funded by the sales tax revenue.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Michael Yustin
Title: Senior Project Manager
REQUESTED BY: Board of County Commissioners
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
On February 20, 2024, the BOCC voted to place a referendum on the 2024 general election ballot to levy a 0.5 cent sales tax on certain purchases over a 10-year period. The revenue generated from this tax, estimated at nearly $190 million, would be exclusively dedicated to the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands within four designated project areas in Martin County: IRL South, Pal Mar, Loxa-Lucie, and the Blueways. The ordinance authorizes the County to acquire both fee simple interests and conservation easements on these lands. To ensure transparency and accountability, the ordinance mandates the establishment of a nine-member citizen oversight committee. This committee will be responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on proposed conservation land acquisitions funded by the sales tax.
The Ordinance language stated that:
Membership shall consist of nine members appointed by the County Commission for a term of three years.
* Four (4) members shall be appointed ...
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