HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-018 RESOLUTION NO. 2003- 018
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, URGING CONTINUED $30 MILLION
ANNUAL BEACH MANAGEMENT FUNDING
WHEREAS, Florida's number one tourist attraction is its beaches, and
WHEREAS, beach-related tourism has a $41.6 billion impact on the state's economy,
and
WHEREAS, beaches contribute over $1 billion in tourist-related sales tax revenues
annually, and
WHEREAS, 442,000 jobs are created by beach-related tourism, with an $8 billion
payroll resulting from additional spending related to Florida's beaches, and
WHEREAS, over half of Florida's 825 miles of sandy beaches are experiencing
erosion, with 333 miles designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as
critically-eroded, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, pursuant to Chapter 161, Florida Statutes, has
declared beach erosion to be a serious threat to the economic and general welfare of the
state and its residents; and has further declared it to be a necessary responsibility to
preserve Florida's beaches and make provision for beach nourishment projects, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, in 1998, pursuant to Sections 161.091, and
201.15 (11), Florida Statutes, provided that designated funding of $30 million annually shall
be deposited in the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund, and that
documentary stamp tax revenues shall be the source of that funding, and
WHEREAS, this $30 million allocation has enabled Florida to develop a consistent,
adequately-funded, priority-driven long range management program to address critical
erosion, and
WHEREAS, this program represents a cost-effective intergovernmental partnership
which leverages a dollar for dollar local government match, and up to 65% of the total project
cost from federal sources, and
WHEREAS, inasmuch as Indian River County has made a commitment to a beach
restoration project and spent a great deal of time and revenue to bring such project to fruition,
it would be an economic and operational hardship for Indian River County to lose the
continuity of a continued dredging plan,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Indian River County Board of County
Commissioners:
P
RESOLUTION NO. 2003- 018
1. The Board of County Commissioners strongly urges the Florida Legislature to
fully fund the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's beach erosion control project
priority list for fiscal year 2003-2004 for $30 million as provided for in Chapters 161 and 201,
Florida Statutes.
2. The Board of County Commissioners respectfully requests that the Florida
Legislature oppose any legislative efforts to amend. existing law, which allocates $30 million
annually in certain documentary stamp tax revenues to the Ecosystem Management and
Restoration Trust Fund for purposes of beach preservation and repair.
3. The Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners is directed to send copies of
this Resolution to Governor Jeb Bush, Secretary David B. Struhs, Department of
Environmental Protection, members of the Indian River County Legislative Delegation,
Senator Ken Pruitt, Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Charlie Clary,
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Representative
Bruce Kyle, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee, Representative Stan Mayfield, Vice
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee, Jerry Paul, Acting Chairman, House Agriculture
and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, and Stan Tait, FSBPA.
The resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Adams
and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Gi nn and, upon
being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Chairman, Kenneth R. Macht Aye
Vice Chairman, Caroline D. Ginn Aye
Commissioner Fran B. Adams Aye
`j Commissioner Thomas S. Lowther ,Aye
Commissioner Arthur R. Neuberger Aye
lthe Chairman therebpon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 11tH
day of February 2003.
� . r 4'"' 0 0 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Attest: . •`��.;'° .. °-,��.;:•:',,�r;.�.,• , BOARD F
J. K. Bartk..Clerk of'Circuit C'ou'rt IND RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
�By. «� enneth R. Macht, Chairman
�t Deputy;CIerk-
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