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the State, and loss of revenues from 1995 to the present. In his opinion, the taxpayers had <br />a right to receive such an accounting. He encouraged the Commissioners to seek ways to <br />increase the tax base in the county to alleviate a greater tax burden on the taxpayers. <br />It was determined that no one else wished to be heard and the Chairman closed the <br />public hearing. <br />Chairman Tippin shared some of Mr. Coffey's concerns and thought that further <br />research is in order. He had recently determined that over 30% of Indian River County is <br />now publicly -owned for environmental purposes as compared to St. Lucie County (less than <br />31/o) and Martin County (slightly over 3%). Although much of our county's land (35,000 <br />acres) is owned by St. Johns River Water Management District, it is a tax district into which <br />everyone in the county pays. He loves the marsh, but there has to be a limit. He supported <br />the purchase of the property under consideration. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED BY <br />Commissioner Ginn, the Board unanimously (4-0, Vice <br />Chairman Macht absent) approved exercising the option <br />contracts for the six northern parcels of the Round Island South <br />LAAC site, and authorized staff to proceed with closing on the <br />subject parcels in accordance with the 50% cost -share <br />agreement with the Florida Communities Trust; and approved <br />the draft of the Round Island South Management Plan as <br />submitted. <br />There was CONSENSUS to request a report from Administrator Chandler as <br />suggested by Mr. Coffey. <br />September 8, 1998 <br />35 <br />800K JO F,UE LJ <br />)J5 <br />