The BOCC approved an environmentally sensitive lands program policy at the June 13th commission meeting.
Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta explained that the policy “establishes the guidelines and procedures for designating projects and lands that are eligible for funding under the sensitive lands program.”
He continued, “The policy also recognizes that once projects are done or lands are designated into the program that there are recurring expenses that need to be provided for… Finally the policy establishes the role of the Board of County Commissioners as having sole authority over the fund consistent with the guidelines.”
Pianta stated that the policy was reviewed by the clerk of the circuit court who suggested the need of the policy.
Mr. Pianta clarified later in the meeting, “It should get rid of any questions about who has authority to spend the money, where you’re spending it. We did make it clear that the board has sole authority over the use of the funds in the annual budget. Whether or not to replenish the funds and what the funds are to be used for.”
During citizen comments, Shirley Miketinac stated that the 30 year referendum established in 1988 creating the sensitive lands program lapses this year. She said that she hopes there is nothing in the referendum to extend the ESL program. She thanked the commission and previous commissions for not being inclined to additional land acquisition, “the backbone of the ESL program.”
Miketinac questioned the replenishment of funds portion of the policy. “I would not want to see us continue to replenish these funds when it’s been the will of the voters to stop this program entirely.” She referred to the 2012 county wide vote to discontinue the levy which funded the ESL program.
Leonard Sossamon, County Administrator stated that the clause included about replenishment does not require that the fund be replenished from the general fund, but it is an option.
Mr. Coller stated that if you spend a dollar out of the fund, you don’t have to put a dollar back in. The goal is to keep the fund for those types of projects and always have a fund for maintenance.
DeeVon Quirolo of the Sierra Club and Nature Coast Conservancy was concerned over language in the policy expanding the use of funds to “projects.” She stated that expanding the use to projects, “would allow illegal use of ESL funds for projects that do not qualify under the terms by the voter approved ESL program, when these funds were collected.”
Commissioners adopted the policy 5-0.
Mr. Champion was interested in putting $3 million of the fund in reserve for environmental projects that improve quality of life and use the remaining $1.8 million for maintenance. Other commissioners were supportive of the idea.