$75 Million Environmental Lands Conservation Bond
Summary
Voters will decide in November whether to approve $75 million in general obligation bonds and a 0.16 mill property tax increase to buy and preserve environmentally sensitive land. Supporters cite the success of the 2020 program; opponents say residents are already taxed enough.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
If approved by voters, approximately $45 per year on a $300,000 assessed value home.
All county residents who value land preservation, water quality protection, and reduced development pressure.
Taxpayers who oppose additional property tax levies would bear the cost if the referendum passes.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of County Commissioners (Regular) — September 22, 2026
A resident challenged the proposed 0.15 mill levy for the environmental lands acquisition referendum on the November ballot, arguing the county's $884 million in unrestricted cash should fund it instead; the chairman noted it is voter-approved, not board-imposed.
Board of County Commissioners (Regular) — July 28, 2026
Voters will decide in November whether to approve $75 million in general obligation bonds and a 0.16 mill property tax increase to buy and preserve environmentally sensitive land. Supporters cite the success of the 2020 program; opponents say residents are already taxed enough.
Board of County Commissioners (Regular) — June 16, 2026
The Trust for Public Land recommends a $75 million bond at 0.16 mills — about $34 a year for the median homestead — to keep buying conservation land; the board will consider final ballot language July 28 for a November vote.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Manatee County
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.