Board directs staff to advance conservation‑lands blueprint and advisory committee

Clay County commissioners on Oct. 10 heard a detailed blueprint from the North Florida Land Trust on creating a county conservation‑lands program and gave staff direction to move forward with implementation steps, including establishing an advisory committee and drafting referendum language.

Ramesh Bush, conservation and acquisitions director for the land trust, summarized survey and workshop results showing public support for conserving drinking‑water sources, wildlife habitat, passive recreation access and agriculturally important lands. He outlined two program tracks: acquiring conservation easements (which preserve working uses such as forestry or agriculture while retiring subdivision/development rights) and county fee ownership with an associated management plan.

Dodie Seelig, the county’s chief planner, told the board staff will bring a recommendation in early 2024 to create the advisory committee that will refine selection criteria and a scoring matrix. The proposed schedule calls for committee formation in February–March, ordinance development over the summer and a possible referendum placement on a November election ballot if the board so chooses.

Commissioners asked staff to return with a range of funding scenarios and expected homeowner impacts (millage/bond examples), and to ensure that acquisition planning includes line‑item allowances for property management and maintenance. Ramesh and staff emphasized leveraging partnerships (state programs, federal conservation funds, and private matching) to increase the impact of local dollars.

The board did not set a tax rate or bond amount but agreed to proceed with drafting the ordinance, appointing an advisory group and developing clearer referendum language and budget scenarios for future consideration.