Commissioner urges support for $100M conservation bond; staff reads ballot language

Commissioner Taylor told the LAMP board the board had approved placing a general obligation bond for land conservation on the November ballot and urged members to encourage neighbors to support it. He warned about misinformation online and urged voters to check official sources. County staff read the ballot language: 'Shall St. Johns County issue general obligation bonds in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $100,000,000 maturing within 20 years of each issuance bearing interest not exceeding legal maximum rates payable from ad valorem property taxes levied up to 0.15 mills... to acquire and manage lands that protect water quality, conserve wildlife habitat, natural areas, farms and forests, provide outdoor recreation and reduce flooding?'

Taylor said the bond could be transformative for the county's land conservation program and asked the board to help get the word out to voters. Board members raised concerns about Amendment 3's interaction with taxable value and noted that levy revenue is based on taxable value, which Amendment 3 would change.