MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County voters will decide this year whether to approve a proposed property tax increase to help buy and protect environmentally sensitive land as the county continues to grow.
The referendum would allow the county to issue up to $75 million in bonds for land preservation, improvements and long-term maintenance. The new proposal would add to a similar conservation tax that voters approved six years ago.
Supporters say the money would help protect natural areas, farmland and wildlife corridors before land is lost to development…