ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County commissioners voted Tuesday to put a major land conservation measure on November’s ballot, giving residents the final say on a bond that could reshape how the county protects its natural lands for generations to come.
But it would come at a cost to property owners in the form of a possible increase to property taxes.
The measure would significantly expand funding for the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, known as LAMP, which currently operates on just $500,000 a year.
“This bond would enable us to issue up to $100 million to buy land for conservation, and that would give us the ability to leverage state and federal funding to make that pot even bigger,” said Jen Lomberk, the Matanzas Riverkeeper.
The problem is simple — when a critical piece of land becomes available, the county often can’t move fast enough to save it.
Without dedicated funding, those properties are left vulnerable to development.
If voters approve the bond, the money will go toward purchasing and protecting lands that safeguard drinking water, wildlife habitat, coastal areas, working farms and forests, all while also helping reduce flooding across the county.
“We don’t get second chances for prime, sensitive, ecologically valuable land. So, it’s about ecotourism,” said Rhonda Lovett, a supporter of the measure.
Repayment would come from a property tax levy of up to 0.15 mills; that’s $15 annually for every $100,000 of taxable property value.
The bonds would mature within 20 years of each issuance.
The vote was not without pushback.
Commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst voted against the measure, raising concerns about its timing alongside Amendment 3, also on the November ballot, which asks voters to cut their property taxes.
“There’s a referendum on the ballot that’s asking people to cut their property taxes, right? That’s been a primary concern. Are we overtaxing our people?” said Whitehurst.
But Commissioner Clay Murphy and others argued the community has waited long enough and that protecting these lands simply can’t wait any longer.
Commissioner Ann Taylor acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
“We’re trying to solve a problem here. So that’s what we’ll do. I’m very torn. Is this the right time? But who knows when the right time is right,” Taylor said.
Taylor says if passed, the bond would only apply to properties from willing sellers, and every potential acquisition would still need to go before the LAMP board for approval before moving forward.
Commissioners say they will have to scramble to get the ballot language ready in time for November but are confident they will have enough time.