PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (ELOC) GUIDANCE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
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 from dedicated environmental organizations with missions focused on education, research, preserving, restoring, acquiring, and protecting the public's local water quality, the natural environment and to enhancing and restoring local ecosystems.
• Three (3) members shall be appointed with one member representing each of the following: an organization with a mission focused on fiscal oversight of government budgets and spending; an organization with mission focused on the real estate industry; and an organization with a mission focused on responsible business growth and economic development.
• Two (2) members shall be appointed from organizations with a mission focused on educating, promoting, and protecting the interests of agricultural farmers and ranchers.
The ordinance provides generic descriptions of the organizations that will have representation on the ELOC. Staff requests BOCC direction on which specific organizations shall be considered for member appointment. Staff also requests direction on the nomination process for each ELOC member.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Provide guidance on what organizations would be represented on the ELOC and any additional direction on the establishment of the ELOC.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
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