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Council hears proposal for a DeBary land bank referendum to fund property acquisitions
Summary
Councilmember Papalardo presented a proposal for a voter-approved restricted ad valorem fund (a local land bank) to buy, conserve or redevelop properties the city deems important; councilmembers expressed broad support for further study and for placing a referendum before voters in November 2026.
Councilmember Papalardo presented a concept on April 16 for a DeBary land bank — a restricted, voter-authorized ad valorem fund to acquire and hold real property for conservation, redevelopment or other city-directed public purposes.
Papalardo described the proposed mechanism as a restricted fund, established by referendum (targeted for the November 2026 ballot), that would be used only for real property acquisition and would not be collateralizable for borrowing. He said the proposal is intended as a local tool to respond to state-level changes in property and development law by giving the city cash resources to purchase land that could otherwise be developed in ways the city deems incompatible.
Papalardo proposed a millage range of roughly 0.2 to 0.5 mills, depending on the term and rolling structure; he illustrated annual impacts for the median home at about $26 to $65 per year depending on the rate. He suggested a 4-year rolling renewal or a 12-year fixed term and emphasized an intent that the fund operate on a cash-first basis and be used for purchases that reflect community priorities.
Council members discussed the idea in detail: Councilmember Sells said he liked the concept but worried about limited available parcels, whether donations would be accepted into the fund, and the potential for market-driven price inflation when sellers learn the city is a buyer. Councilmember Stevenson, Vice Mayor Butland and Mayor Chazet voiced support for pursuing the idea, suggested the scope be broader than purely environmentally sensitive lands, and recommended drafting ordinance language and public workshops. The mayor asked staff to prepare draft ordinance language, timeline and public outreach so the council can workshop the proposal over the summer and fall.
No formal vote was taken; council consensus was to direct staff to prepare materials, workshop the proposal and return with draft ordinance and referendum language for consideration and placement on the November 2026 ballot if the council chooses.
Why it matters: A voter-approved local land bank could give DeBary an ongoing, locally controlled funding source to buy and hold property for conservation, parks, public facilities or strategic redevelopment — providing one direct local option to influence land outcomes amid evolving state planning law.
