PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
title
APPROVAL OF THREE MEMORANDUMS OF AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, RURAL AND FAMILY LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM, FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS OVER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PARCELS USING SURTAX FUNDING
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
In 2024, Martin County voters approved a referendum establishing a 0.5% sales tax to fund the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands through fee simple and conservation easement purchases. This item requests Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval of Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, to acquire conservation easements on three separate parcels. Approval of the MOAs will enable partnership with FDACS to secure these easements. The Environmental Lands Oversight Committee recommended these properties on September 5, 2025, and the Board approved them on October 21, 2025.
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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 Board voted to place a referendum on the 2024 general election ballot to levy a 10-year, 0.5% sales tax dedicated to the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. The tax is anticipated to generate approximately $220 million over its duration. Funds are restricted to fee simple or conservation easement acquisitions within four designated project areas: IRL South, Pal Mar, Loxa-Lucie and the Blueways. Ordinance No. 1221 established the framework for administration of the program.
Following voter approval in November 2024, the Board appointed a nine-member Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC) to review, evaluate, rank and recommend eligible properties for acquisition. The Board also approved the ELOC Manual to establish procedures for nomination and evaluation. On September 5, 2025, the ELOC recommended 16 properties for acquisition using 2024 sales tax funds, and on October 21, 2025, the Board approved those recommendations.
A primary objective of the Martin County Land Acquisition Program is to leverage local funds through partnerships with state and other entities. The FDACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) has requested County participation in funding conservation easements on three of the ELOC and Board-approved properties:
• Turnpike Dairy (525 acres)
• SS Farms (51 acres)
• Leonard Parcel (239 acres)
Prior to negotiating the conservation easements with the respective landowners, FDACS has requested that Martin County enter into three MOAs-one for each property. The MOAs are identical and state that FDACS will be the lead agency in pursuing the acquisitions of the easements, including negotiations, obtaining appraisals and title work, and preparing closing documents and post-closing matters. The purchase price for each easement will be established by appraisals prepared in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code, and Martin County will be responsible for an amount not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the easement purchase price. Pursuant to the terms of the MOAs, FDACS will assume primary monitoring and enforcement responsibilities, and title to the easements will be held jointly in the name of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida and Martin County.
A preliminary form of conservation easement is attached to each MOA, and the easements will permanently limit development rights while allowing the land to remain in private ownership and continued agricultural production. Through this partnership, the County is able to preserve rural character, support ongoing agricultural operations, and protect natural resources without requiring public fee simple acquisition. Once the easements are finalized and executed by the landowners, staff will return at a future date to seek formal acceptance of each easement.
The proposed easements are consistent with the County’s long-term goals of preserving rural lands and leveraging outside funding to secure lasting conservation benefits. In addition to preserving agricultural lands, these easements will contribute to regional environmental goals, including protection of water resources, wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity. These projects are located within or adjacent to priority conservation areas, helping to create buffers and linkages between existing public conservation lands.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board approve the MOAs with the FDACS RFLPP to acquire conservation easements on the three identified properties and authorize the Chair to execute the MOAs.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff with additional direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
Final acquisition costs are not yet available. Funding amounts will be determined following completion of appraisals and negotiations with the respective landowners.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☒Other:3 MOAs