St. Johns County ST. JOHNS COUNTY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR LAND CONSERVATION TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY
What your vote means
A YES vote lets the county issue up to $100 million in bonds for conservation land, repaid by a property tax of up to 0.15 mills.
A NO vote means the county cannot issue these bonds, and land buying continues with existing program funding.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- This would let St. Johns County borrow up to $100 million by selling bonds to buy and manage conservation land. source: stjohnsclerk.com
- The bonds would be paid back over up to 20 years with a property tax of no more than 0.15 mills. source: stjohnsclerk.com
- The land would be bought through the county's existing Land Acquisition and Management Program, whose yearly funding has ranged from $500,000 to $2 million. source: jaxtoday.org
- Money: Up to $100 million in bonds; tax up to 0.15 mill = up to $15 a year on a $100,000 taxable home (Illustration only). Trust for Public Land estimated about $47 per household on average. source: jaxtoday.org
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- Jen Lomberk, Matanzas Riverkeeper: "This is a way that we can take back some of that control." source: jaxtoday.org
- 1000 Friends of Florida: "Approval would let land preservation efforts "grow in scope and pace." (partial quote as reported)" source: jaxtoday.org
Why opponents object
- Sarah Arnold, St. Johns County Commissioner (voted no on placing it on ballot): "We are literally asking people to cut their taxes and raise their taxes on the same ballot at the same time." source: jaxtoday.org
- Denver Cook, chair, St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee (party took no official position): "We are already paying too much." source: jaxtoday.org
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
ballot wording to come We publish ballot wording only after checking it word for word against the official file. The wording will come from stjohnsclerk.com . Until then, check your sample ballot on the Division of Elections voter lookup (then your county Supervisor of Elections for your sample ballot) .
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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