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Clark County reviews Legacy Lands program, fund balance and 2018 bond repayment schedule
Summary
County staff told the council the Conservation Futures levy has supported acquisition of more than 5,500 acres and leveraged about $38 million in non‑county funds; the program—s fund balance sits about $13.9 million and a 2018 bond of roughly $7 million carries annual debt service of about $530,000 through 2038.
Kevin Tyler, lands management division manager for Clark County Public Works, opened the work session by describing the county—s Conservation Futures funding and the Legacy Lands program. "Our goal today is to provide a high level overview of the conservation of conservation features funding and the legacy lands program," Tyler said.
The program traces to the Washington State Conservation Futures statute (1971) and Clark County—s 1985 Conservation Futures levy. Tyler said the program has contributed to acquisition of more than 5,500 acres and that the county has leveraged more than $38 million in non‑county resources to conserve land across the county and partner cities.
Staff presented a simplified six‑year financial forecast showing capital acquisitions, operating expenses limited to 25% of the prior levy, debt service from a 2018 bond, and annual revenue of about $2.9 million. Tyler said the current fund balance is approximately $13.9 million and that the levy rate is 6.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. When a councilor asked what the 2018 bond had funded, Tyler said the bond was about $7 million to support several acquisitions and that annual debt service is currently about $530,000 and scheduled through 2038.
Tyler and colleagues noted that many regional parks and natural areas were purchased in part with Conservation Futures dollars and that the county—s map does not show additional parcels acquired by partner cities or land trusts. Staff said the county will update the Natural Areas Acquisition Plan as part of a parks system plan update planned for 2026.
The county framed next steps as refining policy and returning to council with an updated Legacy Lands guidance manual and an allowed‑uses matrix for partners and sponsor projects.
