NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)October 30, 2026Hillsborough County
Voters in Manatee and Sarasota counties to decide on property taxes and bonds for land conservation
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)
Voters in Manatee and Sarasota counties will decide on ballot measures this election to fund land conservation through property taxes and bond authorizations. Manatee County is considering a new property tax of up to 0.16 mills and up to $75 million in bonds, while Sarasota County is voting to continue an existing 0.25-mill tax through 2049 and authorize up to $250 million in bonds.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)Why It Matters
Property owners in Manatee County would pay about $34 annually, while Sarasota County homeowners would pay an expected $51 a year for a median to fund local land and park acquisitions.
Key Facts
- Manatee County voters are considering a new property tax of up to 0.16 mills to buy land and prevent development.
- Manatee County's measure would authorize up to $75 million in bonds maturing within 20 years.
- Manatee County homeowners would pay about $34 annually on their tax if approved.
- Manatee's ballot initiative would incorporate farmland, allowing the purchase of development rights on agricultural properties.
- Sarasota County is voting on keeping an existing 0.25-mill tax through 2049 to fund the Sensitive Lands Program and Neighborhood Parkland Program.
- Sarasota County's second ballot question authorizes up to $250 million in bonds.
- The Sarasota tax is expected to cost $51 a year for a median homesteaded house.
- Sarasota County's existing programs have protected over 42,000 acres in their history.
- Referendums in both Manatee and Sarasota counties include annual audits and citizen oversight.
- Additional local conservation measures are on the ballot in Brevard, Charlotte, Marion, St. Johns, and Santa Rosa counties.
Who's Mentioned
locationSarasota County“County voting on continuing existing tax programs and bond authorization”locationTampa Bay“Region where local conservation ballot measures are located”OrganizationSensitive Lands Program“Established program in Sarasota County from 1999”PersonTraci Dean“President and CEO of Conservation Florida”locationMarion“County with additional local conservation measures on the ballot”locationManatee County“County holding a vote on property tax and bonds for land conservation”locationOrlando“City where Conservation Florida is based”locationSt. Johns“County with additional local conservation measures on the ballot”OrganizationNeighborhood Parkland Program“Established program in Sarasota County from 2005”locationCharlotte“County with additional local conservation measures on the ballot”locationSanta Rosa“County with additional local conservation measures on the ballot”OrganizationConservation Florida“Nonprofit endorsing the conservation referendums”locationBrevard“County with additional local conservation measures on the ballot”