Over the past two years, Manatee County has purchased approximately 309 acres of environmentally valuable land to conserve in perpetuity.
The funding came after 71% of voters chose to increase their ad valorem tax by 0.15 mills and allow the county to bond up to $50 million to purchase conservation land and easements in 2020.
Between purchases, maintenance and constructing amenities, such as restrooms, the referendum funds are nearly depleted. Manatee County is currently working with the Trust for Public Land to put a referendum on the 2026 ballot that would increase its buying power…