The Martin County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a funding agreement with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund that will contribute $5,000,000 of county sales tax referendum funds toward a conservation easement on approximately 6,196 acres of Barbee Ranch.

County staff explained the state will provide the bulk of the acquisition funding; the total project purchase price cited in the meeting was $17,169,200. Michael Houston, senior project manager for Martin County, described the purchase as a rare opportunity to protect a large tract of land. "I think it's an amazing opportunity," Houston said, adding that the county rarely has chances to set aside land at this scale with a relatively modest local contribution.

If the board’s action is executed as presented, staff will forward the funding agreement to the state for final execution and closing. Commissioners praised the acquisition and voted to authorize the chair to execute documents necessary to complete the transaction.

What happens next: Administration will send the funding agreement to the state for execution and complete the closing steps; the county’s share will be paid from the sales tax referendum proceeds as approved by earlier board actions.