St. Johns County voters could decide as early as November whether to establish a dedicated fund to purchase land for environmental conservation and recreational uses.
County Commissioners first introduced the idea last summer, when they asked the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land (TPL) and Florida-based nonprofit Live Wildly to study the issue. Representatives from both conservation groups presented their findings at the July 21 commission meeting, after which commissioners directed staff to work with the county Supervisor of Elections Office to craft ballot language for the proposed initiative. That measure could read something like this:
“To acquire and manage lands that protect water quality in rivers, lakes, creeks, and drinking water sources; conserve wildlife habitat, coastal areas, working farms and forests; reduce flooding; and provide outdoor recreation.”
A poll of St. Johns County voters conducted by Miami-based pollster Inquire found 62% would support the measure based on ballot language alone, with 11% opposed and 27% unsure. Even when respondents were presented with pros and cons, support did not fall below 59% — above the 50% majority needed to pass.
If the referendum passes, the funding structure would be up to commissioners to decide between a property tax increase or a bond backed by property taxes. TPL recommends a 0.15 mill increase, which would amount to about $42 annually for the average homestead in St. Johns County.
The deadline to place a sales tax referendum on this year’s ballot passed in May, but TPL Associate Director of Conservation Finance Pegeen Hanrahan said the funding source could be shifted to a sales tax in the future. That could become more likely if Florida voters vote to eliminate property taxes this fall.
The push for a county conservation fund comes as concerns about overdevelopment, sprawl and loss of farmland have taken center stage in local politics. St. Johns is among Florida’s fastest-growing counties, attracting more than 71,000 new residents since 2020 and experiencing a 26% population increase in that period.
Thousands of new homes are approved and awaiting construction, and developers recently filed six applications to develop several thousand additional acres under a new state law accelerating certain types of housing projects.
Currently, the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program (LAMP) citizen advisory board has an annual budget of $500,000 to $2 million to acquire properties for conservation and recreation. By comparison, a 0.15 mill increase would generate roughly $8.5 million annually according to figures Hanrahan presented.
During public comment Tuesday, most residents who spoke supported the proposed referendum.
“I would much rather my tax dollars go toward preserving public land than another unnecessary tax break for a large corporation,” said one.
Currently, 21 other Florida counties have a similar conservation fund in place, and as many as four additional counties may vote on establishing one this year. According to Hanrahan, 86% of the ballot initiatives TPL has backed in Florida have passed. That includes deep red Nassau County, where 73% of voters backed President Trump in 2024, and Democratic strongholds like Leon County, where 60% voted for Kamala Harris.
Despite Hanrahan’s optimism, she acknowledged St. Johns County has a mixed record when it comes to referendums increasing property taxes. Since 1998, voters have approved four referendums increasing sales taxes and millage rates, but rejected five others.
Commissioners are expected to revisit the issue on Aug. 4 or Aug. 18. General election ballots for overseas voters must be mailed out no later than Sept. 19, meaning time is running out to place the measure on this year’s ballot.
