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Dear reader reader
Thank you for your support to place the Environmental Lands property tax referendum on the Nov. 8th ballot. Special thanks to those that came to the Polk County Commission meeting to have your voice heard on behalf of Polk's Environmental Lands Program. Below is an excerpt from a story on Tom Palmer's Blog

Polk Commissioners Green Light Environmental Lands Referendum; Campaign To Convince Polk’s Voters Can Now Crank Up

The result of weeks of lobbying and education paid off Tuesday when the Polk County Commission voted 3-2 to allow a property tax referendum to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot to revive the Polk’s environmental lands acquisition efforts.

Voting to support allowing the voters to weigh in on this issue were Commissioners Martha Santiago, Bill Braswell and Rick Wilson. Commissioners Neil Combee and George Lindsey voted against the idea.

Polk’s Environmental Lands Program has been able to finance the protection of more than 26,000 acres all over Polk County since voters approved the original tax referendum in 1994. Some of the sites—particularly Circle B Bar Reserve—draw visitors from all over the world and have put Polk County on the map when it comes to ecotourism.

This year’s referendum, like the 1994 ballot measure, will ask voters to approve levying a tax of 20 cents per $1,000 of appraised value for 20 years. It is estimated this would cost the average Polk homeowner $30 a year.

Several referendum supporters addressed commissioners before the vote, giving reasons to move forward.

Some of the key arguments were:

  • This will build on the foundation that has already begun to protect as much of Polk’s remaining environmentally important lands as possible before it’s too late.
  • It will allow the purchase of lands to fill gaps and missing pieces in Polk’s environmental networks of wildlife corridors and other open spaces.
  • This will create a legacy that will benefit generations to come.
  • It will allow Polk County to leverage state and federal grant programs to stretch the taxpayers’ dollars.
  • This is a decision that is critical to the future of Polk County as a great place to live.
The passage of the referendum will provide some insurance that Polk County residents will have a choice between more of the same and a greener future.

Now that the referendum has been approved to proceed, the real work is just beginning.
Polk Forever, the local group advocating for the passage of the referendum has established a website (polkforever.com) to provide more information, to seek campaign donations to its political committee and to schedule presentations to get the word out to the general public.

Don’t let the opportunity escape us.
Now is our turn to convince our citizens on making the right decision for a sustainable future and a healthy environment in Polk County. With your help we can make this happen on November 8th. Let your friends and family know that you care about the future of our natural lands in Polk County.

Go to www.polkforever.com to learn more.

Thank you for your support.

Polk Forever Team
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POLK FOREVER
P.O. Box 773, Winter Haven 33882-0773
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