PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
title
APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND FOR CONTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TOWARDS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON A PORTION OF BAR-B RANCH
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a request for approval and acceptance of a Funding Agreement, as recommended by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on August 26, 2025, and as part of the June 25, 2025, recommendation from the Environmental Lands Oversite Committee (ELOC). This acquisition will be accomplished using sales tax funds, in the amount of $5,000,000, for a Conservation Easement on approximately 1,669 acres of land located within the Bar-B Ranch in Martin County.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Carla T. Segura, FRP
Title: Real Property Manager
REQUESTED BY: John Maehl, Environmental Resources Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
1. Agreement drafted by:
Martin County
2. Parties to the Agreement:
Martin County
Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (TIITF)
3. Purpose of the Agreement:
Provide funding for approved acquisition of a conservation easement using sales tax funds in
the amount of $5,000,000.
4. New/Renewal/Modification:
New
5. Duration:
The Agreement will terminate upon the recording of the perpetual conservation easement.
6. Benefits to Martin County:
The acquisition and protection of environmentally sensitive lands in Martin County
7. Cost to Martin County:
$5,000,000.00 from collected sales tax funds
On February 20, 2024, the BOCC voted to place a referendum on the 2024 general election ballot for the purpose of leveraging a 10-year, 0.5% government sales tax to acquire environmentally sensitive lands. The anticipated total revenue from this surtax is approximately $220 million, and approximately $7.9 million has be...
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