Staff updates: Riverbend Ranch moves toward closing; Florida Forever funding remains fluid

VALUCHIA COUNTY — County staff told the Valuchia Forever advisory committee on May 22 that Riverbend Ranch, a sizeable conservation target with roughly two miles of St. Johns River frontage, received unanimous county council approval and is now in the due‑diligence phase ahead of closing.

Staff characterized Riverbend Ranch as a “significant acquisition” and said it anchors the southern tip of the Valuchia Conservation Corridor. Staff also reported that the John Anderson property received unanimous county council approval on May 19 and will be purchased with park funds because planned future activity on the parcel may fall outside Valuchia Forever program parameters.

On state funding, staff said proposals under negotiation in the Florida special session were fluid but described current positions: “the governor according to our information is still at 115 million for his recommended funding for the Florida Forever program,” while the Florida Senate had a higher figure and the House a lower one. Staff warned legislators are discussing favoring conservation easements (less‑than‑fee acquisitions) over fee‑simple purchases, a change that could reduce state support for county fee‑simple acquisitions. For the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program staff said talk centers on a baseline between about $200 million and $300 million for that program.

Tommy Norman, who runs the county’s Explore Valuchia outreach program, briefed the committee on volunteer and public‑engagement opportunities, saying staff lead hikes, bike and paddle trips and organize invasive‑species removal and trail‑maintenance events. "We do have people coming to us looking, hey, can we do a cleanup?" Norman said; he provided an email (tnordman@valucia.org) and noted programs are posted on the county’s Eventbrite page.

Why it matters: Riverbend Ranch would expand protected corridor lands and provide waterfront conservation value; the availability of state matching funds and the form those funds take (easement versus fee) will shape how the county funds future acquisitions.

What’s next: Staff said they will proceed with due diligence for Riverbend Ranch and John Anderson and will monitor Tallahassee’s budget and program decisions closely; they asked the committee to note that state figures are draft and subject to change.

(Reporting in this article is based on staff remarks and committee discussion in the May 22 meeting transcript.)