LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Twenty years ago, Lake County asked voters to weigh in on providing funding for conservation efforts.
Voters passed it and agreed to have property owners in the county pay about $21 a year for 20 years on their tax bill to help fund projects such as land preservation and clean water protection.
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This referendum is back on the ballot this year for renewal. Here are the details.
[RESULTS 2024: Complete Coverage | How to vote in the Nov. 5 presidential election | Here’s what you’ll see on the ballot in Lake County for the Nov. 5 election]
Clean water protection, overdevelopment prevention, natural area preservation, parks and trails general obligation bond referendum
BALLOT SUMMARY:
From the Lake County Supervisor of Elections: To acquire and improve land to protect drinking water sources; preserve natural areas; protect open space from overdevelopment; provide parks and trails; improve the water quality of rivers and lakes; protect springs; and establish a citizen oversight committee with full public disclosure of spending, shall Lake County be authorized to issue unlimited general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, not exceeding the legal maximum interest rate, not exceeding $50,000,000 payable from ad valorem taxes?
BREAKING DOWN THE REFERENDUM:
Lake County is asking property owners to pay about $21 a year for the next 20 years to help pay for conservation efforts. This property tax has been used to buy land for preservation, create parks and trails, and protect drinking water sources and springs.
As previously reported, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Ferndale Preserve are some of the areas that were acquired through the referendum over the years.
BOTTOM LINE:
A “YES” vote on the bond referendum means you are in favor of property owners continuing to pay about $21 a year for 20 years on their tax bill toward funding county land conservation.
A “NO” vote on the bond referendum means you are against property owners paying $21 a year for 20 years on their tax bill to fund county land conservation.