Agenda 12/13/2016 Item #10B 10.6
12/13/2016
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Discussion with the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to consider support for re-
establishing funding of the Conservation Collier Program for the continued acquisition,
protection, restoration and management of environmentally sensitive lands in Collier
County.
OBJECTIVE: That the Board discuss the level of support for re-establishing funding of the
Conservation Collier Program to provide continuing acquisition, protection, restoration and
management of green space and environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Conservation Collier Program was a taxpayer-funded initiative
approved in November 2002 by voters with the goal of providing a long-term acquisition and
management program to meet green space and conservation needs expressed by citizens. The
Board formed a citizen advisory committee consisting of nine members, called the Conservation
Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee to oversee the program. The program was funded
through an ad-valorem tax of.25 mils per year.
During previous decades, rapid development of Collier County presented challenges in balancing
and maintaining a high quality of life for its citizens. While much of eastern and southern Collier
County (specifically, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park,
Florida Panther and 10,000 Island National Wildlife Refuges, and Everglades National Park)
provided ecosystem protection, there remained a need to preserve rare habitats and public open
space in the rapidly developing portions of the county between Immokalee and the coastal areas
in order to preserve those qualities that make Collier County the exceptional and distinctive place
that it is today.
A series of community planning initiatives, begun in the late 1980s, culminated in 2001 with the
Community Character and Design visioning process. This process identified the need for a
greenspace acquisition program. The resulting initiative, "Vote Conservation 2002"placed a
referendum question on the November 2002 ballot, asking voters whether they would be willing
to tax themselves one quarter mill for 10 years to buy conservation lands and greenspace and to
approve a$75 million limited tax general obligation bond. Nearly sixty percent of Collier
County voters responded with a resounding YES! As a result, the Conservation Collier
Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2002-63, as amended in 2007-65
<hap:!/wk rw.collier nevhorneishowdocument7id-15653=>) was developed, with citizen input
and County Commission approval, to make conservation and protection of environmental
resources into a real plan for the future. In 2003, the Conservation Collier Program was initiated.
In November 2006 voters were again asked in a referendum "straw vote" question whether they
understood and approved that the Conservation Collier Program would be funded by a quarter
mill ad valorem property tax for a period of ten (10) years, until 2013. At that time, the Program
was expected to raise approximately$189 million as opposed to limiting it to a$75 million
program. Eighty-two percent (82%) of voters approved! Active acquisition proceeded through
2010. At that point, reduced revenues resulting from economic conditions created uncertainty
about future revenues. As of January 25, 2011, available acquisition funds were committed and
future acquisition cycles suspended. The Program is still authorized to consider bargain sales.
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10.B
12/13/2016
Based on the current and future growth projections, acquisition and protection of conservation
lands remain an important element of Collier County's unique quality of life. Based on the level
of support from the Board, direction may be provided to staff for the re-establishment of the
Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no Fiscal Impact associated with this Executive Summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no
legal issue at this time, and requires majority support for action. -JAK
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management Impact associated
with this Executive Summary.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board discuss re-establishing funding of the Conservation
Collier Program to provide continuing acquisition,protection, restoration and management of
green space and environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County.
PREPARED BY: Dave Lykins, Executive Coordinator for Commissioner Burt Saunders
AGENDA DATE: December 13, 2016
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1 0.B
12/13/2016
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.B
Item Summary: Discussion with the Board of County Commissioners (Board) to consider support
for re-establishing funding of the Conservation Collier Program for the continued acquisition, protection,
restoration and management of environmentally sensitive lands in Collier County.
Meeting Date: 12/13/2016
Prepared by:
Title:—Board of County Commissioners
Name: Dave Lykins
12/05/2016 2:13 PM
Submitted by:
Title: —Board of County Commissioners
Name: Burt Saunders
12/05/2016 2:13 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Public Services Department Steve Carnell Additional Reviewer Completed 12/05/2016 3:39 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A.Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorneys Office Review Completed 12/05/2016 4:53 PM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Wells Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 12/06/2016 8:43 AM
Budget and Management Office Mark lsackson Additional Reviewer Completed 12/06/2016 10:13 AM
County Manager's Office Leo E.Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 12/07/2016 4:26 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 12/13/2016 9:00 AM
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