02/18/2020 (4) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

to understand conservation options and voter attitudes followed by strategic campaigns that effectively communicate key messages. TPL provides policy and fiscal analysis, public opinion research, technical assistance, strategic recommendations, and legislative drafting, often followed by legislative or ballot measure campaigns. PHASE I Feasibility Research The hallmark of TPL's Conservation Finance work is feasibility research. Conservation finance feasibility studies identify and assess the potential for a range of funding strategies that are realistic and that would substantially increase public funding to address the community's conservation and restorations needs. Typical components of a comprehensive feasibility analysis include: an assessment of existing funding programs; identification of an array of strategies and funding mechanisms to complement existing programs; exploration of the legal and political processes for implementation; and evaluation of the feasibility of various alternatives by analyzing factors such as ballot measure history, constitutional and statutory limitations, and fiscal conditions and forecasts. The reports are based on original research by TPL, as well as a review of existing research and analysis. These reports serve as the foundation for discussions with key stakeholders, policy -makers, partners, and the general public. TPL proposes to research and analyze a range of public finance options that the Indian River County may consider for conservation land acquisition and management. For each relevant local funding option, TPL will examine the revenue -raising capacity, the fiscal impact to government budgets and/or taxpayers, and how such options are implemented. TPL also proposes to provide examples of where and how these mechanisms have been used by other jurisdictions. While implementation procedures vary around the country, many broad-based tax and bond mechanisms require voter approval. As such, TPL also proposes to research election results to examine whether the electorate has supported or opposed spending public funds for parks and open space, or other priorities, in the past, as well as voter turnout trends. This analysis will require the assistance of Indian River County staff to provide financial documents, such as budgets, bond -offering statements, capital spending plans, tax assessment rolls, and relevant comprehensive or open space plans. The research will examine both the most likely funding options (broad-based tax and bond mechanisms capable of generating significant funding) as well as other possible alternative pubic finance options. 77