Village proposes tree rebate program: up to $10,000 first‑year cap, $300 canopy trees

Village staff proposed a tree rebate program that would reimburse residents (up to two trees) and homeowners associations (up to five trees) for certain native tree species, with a proposed first‑year program cap of $10,000.

Community Development Director Jay Hutch said the proposed program is intended to replace the village’s earlier adopt‑a‑tree program, which had limited participation in the right‑of‑way because of overhead utilities and other site constraints. Under the proposal, rebates would apply only to trees planted on property owned by the applicant within village limits and not within 10 feet of a building foundation, sidewalk or utility.

Tier 1 canopy trees — live oak, gumbo limbo, bald cypress, mahogany, Florida red maple and slash pine — are proposed to receive up to $300 per tree. A Tier 2 list of smaller, South Florida native trees that better fit near power lines was proposed at $200 per tree. Staff said the program would require verification of planting (staff visit) and a minimum planting caliper (about 3‑inch caliper) to prevent reimbursement for very small saplings.

Staff said the village has previously budgeted about $7,500 for tree work and that the rebate program would begin in the next fiscal year; the council suggested staff might initially target neighborhoods or HOAs with low canopy coverage. Staff also said applicants could be pre‑allocated rebate funding to avoid residents buying trees and later being turned away if the program cap is reached.

Councilmembers generally supported the program and asked staff to specify operational steps — application, pre‑allocation, verification, and payment — and to consider neighborhood targeting to maximize canopy gains. No final ordinance or funding appropriation was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with program details and a proposed budget allocation for council consideration.