Item Coversheet



BOCC AGENDA ITEM

Item Title:Ballot Language: Conservation Land Program
Date:12/9/2019
Department:Nassau County Planning + Economic Opportunity
Background:

Beginning in 2018, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners requested staff to start researching the creation of a Countywide conservation land acquisition and management program. In Summer 2018, County staff researched multiple Florida county conservation land programs and presented findings to the Board of County Commissioners. 

 

In Fall 2018 County staff convened a Technical Advisory Group consisting of land conservation professionals and associated fields to aid in identifying best practices and steps to move forward with a conservation land acquisition and management program. As part of the Technical Advisory Group, staff connected with the Trust for Public Land, who has expertise in land conservation programs. In February 2020, the Board of County Commissioners entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Land to conduct a financial feasibility analysis to consider funding options for a conservation land acquisition and management program. The completed Financial Feasibility report was shared with the Board of County Commissioners in August 2019 and the Commissioners requested a workshop to be scheduled in October 2019 to further discuss future funding. 

 

The Board of County Commissioners held a workshop on October 16, 2019 with Trust for Public Land representation present, and at that meeting, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners directed a resolution be created for review to place the conservation land acquisition and management program referendum on the ballot for the November 2020 Election. 

 

The ballot language discussed asks voters to consider allowing Nassau County to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds, not exceeding lawful interest rates, payable from ad valorem taxes and not to exceed 30 years for a conservation land acquisition and management program. The proposed conservation land acquisition and management program would be subject to citizen oversight and full public disclosure of all bond spending.

 

Florida local governments are authorized to issue debt for capital improvement purposes including conservation land, parks, and open space in the form of general obligation bonds.

 

This item is a resolution authorizing the placement of the ballot language.

Request:
Approve a Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County, Florida, approving placement of a referendum on the ballot for the 2020 Election for the electors within Nassau County to vote on the authorization of the County to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds for a Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program.
Financial/Economic Impact to Future Years Budgeting Process or Effect on Citizens:
If ballot language is approved and placed on the ballot in November 2020, and adopted by voters, the proposed measure would authorize the County to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $30 million dollars, not exceeding lawful interest rates and payable by ad valorem taxes, for a period not to exceed 30 years. 
Action Requested and Recommendation:
Approve the Resolution Placing Ballot Language on the November 2020 Ballot Authorizing the County to Issue Up to $30 Million in General Obligation Bonds
Is this action consistent with the Nassau County Comprehensive Land Use Plan?
Yes
Funding Source:
N/A for this resolution. If ballot language was approved by voters, the bonds would be supported by ad valorem taxes.
Additional Information Needed for Contracts/Agreements (If Applicable)
Contract Number assigned by Contracts Management:
N/A
For non-governmental agencies, has the document been sent to the vendor for signature?
N/A
Does the document need to be recorded? If so, who will pay the recordation fee?
N/A
Are there any special mailing instructions? (Include contact name, address, deadline for submittal, how to mail such as express mail, FedEx, etc):
N/A
How many originals are needed?
One
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionUpload DateType
Resolution for Conservation Ballot Language11/6/2019Resolution Letter