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<br />Tom Rice <br />, 908 Coquina Lane, on behalf of Indian River Neighborhood Association, <br />expressed its strong support of the LAAC bond and a referendum and urged the Board to let the <br />public decide this important issue. <br />rds <br />Ralph Sexton <br />, a cattle rancher, pointed out that we have lost about 2/3 of all the <br />agricultural land in the county and every day another subdivision goes in and another grove or <br />pasture goes out. Developers have sold 5 acre ranchettes (west of the urban service area). Zoning <br />can no longer protect our agriculture, the only way for the County to protect some of the <br />agricultural land is to buy the developer’s rights. He urged the Commissioners’ approval. <br />Jim Granse <br />, 36 Pine Arbor Lane, inquired if matching funds are available for <br />agricultural, historic, or cultural lands, and Mr. DeBlois responded affirmatively, adding that new <br />legislation has been adopted to promote the preservation of agricultural lands. <br />Mr. Granse <br /> suggested a letter of June 7, 2004 from Talmage Rogers (a LAAC <br />member) be read to the public, and Chairman Ginn replied it was too long to read but a copy was <br />sent to the Press Journal. <br />Mr. Granse <br /> thought this issue was not clear to the public. <br />Chairman Ginn thought a brochure should be mailed to all households as was done <br />with the first bond issue to explain this. <br />Frank Coffey <br />, 1200 Admirals Walk, supported a referendum but also thought the <br />public should be fully informed of all the facts including all costs. He also thought the public <br />should know there is no public access to some of the properties and that there is still $21 million to <br />pay on the first two bond issues. He supported going forward to a referendum but did not <br />necessarily support the different ways the money could be used. <br />Vice Chairman Neuberger asked for clarification on the remaining indebtedness. <br />County Administrator Baird specified that the $15 million issue will be paid off in <br />2010 and it has $7.8 million remaining on principal. The second $11 million issue will be paid off <br />in 2016 and the amount owed is $10,520,000 on principal. <br />June 8, 2004 <br />34 <br /> <br />