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Flagler County accelerates land‑conservation work, awards contract to North Florida Land Trust
Summary
The board heard an update on the county's Environmentally Sensitive Lands program (25 properties, 5,582 acres to date) and unanimously approved a contract with the North Florida Land Trust to help with acquisitions, appraisals and negotiations.
Eric Ravelda, the county’s public lands and natural resources manager, told commissioners the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) program — first approved by voters in 1988 — has acquired 25 properties totaling 5,582 county‑owned acres and used about $27 million in ESL funds alongside approximately $30 million in outside matching funds.
“About half of them are preservation of natural resources and conservation… the other is recreation and some historical preservation,” Ravelda said, summarizing the program’s objectives and an eight‑step acquisition process that requires a willing seller and LAC committee review before board action.
Ravelda said the county currently has roughly $9.8 million in ESL funds available and noted an additional roughly $10 million in a state appropriation bill allocated for purchases that must be used within the appropriation timeline unless extended. He outlined two main acquisition strategies — fee simple purchases and conservation easements — and emphasized differences in cost and management obligations between them.
After the presentation the board voted to award a contract under RSQ24‑O52Q to the North Florida Land Trust to assist the county with middle‑stage acquisition tasks (appraisals, title work and negotiation). Allison Dufour, Ramesh Bush and Kim Hall of the trust described their acquisition and “green‑printing” experience working with local governments across Florida. Commissioner Carney said she expected the first year’s scope to focus on properties already on the county’s A‑list and asked that the contract remain scope‑limited unless the county later elects to expand it.
What happens next: Staff will coordinate with the land trust on outreach, appraisals and negotiating with willing sellers; funds and selected properties will be reported back to the board as acquisition work proceeds.
