St. Johns County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize up to $100 million in borrowing for conservation land, backed by an additional property-tax levy capped at 0.15 mills.

The official ballot language would allow general obligation bonds in one or more series, with each issuance maturing within 20 years. The $100 million limit is principal; the bonds would also bear interest.

What property owners could pay

At the maximum rate, the additional levy would equal $15 a year for every $100,000 of taxable property value, or $75 on $500,000 of taxable value. Taxable value is different from market value and may reflect exemptions and assessment limits. The 0.15-mill cap applies to this levy, not the entire property-tax bill.

Approval would authorize borrowing rather than require the full $100 million to be borrowed at once. The ballot identifies conservation purposes including water quality, wildlife habitat, natural areas, farms, forests, outdoor recreation and flood reduction.

The county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, or LAMP, evaluates and ranks potential conservation properties for consideration by county commissioners. It works with willing sellers. Voter approval would not itself select particular properties for purchase.

Supporters and critics

Conservation advocates say reliable funding would help the county move faster when important properties become available. Jacksonville Today reported Oct. 12 that 1000 Friends of Florida and Matanzas Riverkeeper support the referendum.

The report described fluctuating LAMP funding and the sale of a top-ranked conservation property to homebuilder Ashley Homes earlier this year.

Denver Cook, chair of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee, told Jacksonville Today that the committee had not taken an official position. Cook said he supports conservation but opposes using additional property taxes and bonded debt for it. He said a sales-tax referendum would be preferable if Amendment 3 passes.

The measure requires a majority of votes cast on the bond question to pass.

How to vote

According to the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections, early voting runs Oct. 21-31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Ponte Vedra locations include the Ponte Vedra Branch Library, 101 Library Blvd., and The Players Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must use their assigned precinct on Election Day. Mail ballots must reach the elections office by 7 p.m. that day to count.