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Water Quality Protection, Overdevelopment Prevention, Natural Lands Preservation, and Public Preserves General Obligation Bonds Referendum
Purposes
- To acquire, improve, and manage land to protect drinking water sources, water quality, natural areas from overdevelopment, the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the Manatee, Myakka, Little Manatee, and Braden Rivers, preserve environmentally sensitive lands, fish and wildlife habitat, provide natural floodwater storage, protect working farms and ranches, and prevent stormwater runoff pollution
How Environmental Lands Acquisition, Improvement, and Management Works
- Uses a transparent, criteria‑based evaluation system to score potential properties of a willing seller on ecological value, water‑quality impact, connectivity and management feasibility.
- Recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) are made through public meetings of the Environmental Lands Management Committee. (ELMAC)
- The county partners with land trusts, state agencies, and conservation nonprofits to expand funding and stewardship.
- The final decision on a purchase is made by the Manatee County Commission.
2026 Environmental Lands Acquisition, Improvement, and Management Finance Referendum
- 0.16 mills
- $75 million bond
- Approximately $34 per year for median homestead
- Evaluation of properties will use the same process and factors currently in place.
Environmental Referendum: What Your Vote Means
YES
- The county could issue up to $75 million in general‑obligation bonds dedicated to purchasing and protecting environmentally sensitive lands.
- Taxpayers would pay a small additional amount per year.
- The county could secure more land that safeguards water quality, wildlife habitat, floodplains, and natural corridors.
NO
- No additional funding would be available to purchase additional lands for conservation.
- Taxpayers would see no change in their taxes.
- More land will fall under development. There will potentially be more flooding, greater cost to providing water and fewer green spaces.
