Commission adopts ordinance merging tree fund into Environmental Protection Fund; Duvall dissents

The North Port City Commission adopted Ordinance 2026-11 on May 19, 2026, amending the Unified Land Development Code to consolidate the previously separate tree fund into the Environmental Protection Fund.

Vice Mayor Langdon moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Stokes seconded; the motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Duvall recorded as the lone dissent. Duvall said he remained concerned the change could reduce funds specifically reserved for tree protection and reforestation, citing language and recommendations in the city's comprehensive plan that had called for reserve funds to support tree protection.

Natural Resources Division staff and the city attorney's office characterized the ordinance as a cleanup and codification following the 2024 Unified Land Development Code update. Staff said tree mitigation fees, plan review and inspection fees tied to the Natural Resources Division and similar revenues would be consolidated under the Environmental Protection Fund. The assistant Natural Resources staff told the commission there was no preset percentage within the code that would allocate a specific share only to tree planting; rather, the commission retains budget authority and would approve specific programs and expenditures through its annual budget process.

Commissioners and some public commenters asked for clearer reporting on how many trees the city has planted and where planting activity would occur. Staff said a new Natural Resources Division was created in late December 2023 and the city planned multiple planting procurements that would roll out in upcoming fiscal periods; the precise number of trees already planted or planned was "not specified" in the meeting record.

In the same meeting the commission also continued second readings for two other ordinances (fee schedule and solid waste) to later dates, and adopted a resolution to update athletic-official fees (Resolution 2026-R-25), which staff estimated would cost the city about $5,000.

Next steps: the ordinance takes effect as stated in the ordinance language; budget allocations and program details for tree planting and related environmental projects will be determined through the city's budget and implementation processes.