Weedon Island/Shell Key funding

Said the preserves protect shorebird and sea turtle habitat and indigenous history, and warned the property tax amendment would damage natural areas.

Frequent park user opposed defunding Shell Key and Weedon Island, calling them pillars of ecotourism.

Eagle Scout opposed diverting preserve funding to law enforcement pensions, saying the parks are well-maintained and volunteers can't fill the gap.

Called defunding the preserves 'an outright surrender of our fifty-year lease back to the state' and urged the board to remove the cuts.

Noted the preserve cuts save only about 2% of the $42 million gap and asked the board to find savings elsewhere and pursue state partnership.