If you think you could contribute to the work to help the County Commission to select more land in Polk County to protect from the bulldozers, now is your chance.
The application process has begun for positions on the county’s Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee, known as CLASAC for short.
The announcement came after the County Commission approved a resolution Feb. 7 establishing the committee to advise commissioners on acquisitions that will be funded by a tax approved by Polk County’s voters in a referendum that appeared on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot.
For details on applying, go to the news tab at Home (polk-county.net)or contact Polk Parks and Natural Resources at 863-534-7377.
The referendum authorized a levy of 20 cents per $1,000 of taxable property for 20 years beginning in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The first year’s levy would raise at least $8.2 million in the first year it is in effect.
The deadline to apply for membership is March 15. Commissioners, each of whom will appoint two recommend two members to serve, are scheduled to make appointments in May.
According to the resolution, the committee will consist of at least 11 members, including a commissioner, who will serve as chair.
The membership will be composed of representatives from various sectors of the community.
They will consist of : two professionals with experience in water resource management, two from local environmental groups, two from agricultural community, one from a local sportsman’s group, one from local outdoor recreation group, one with public land management experience, one professional with experience in land use planning and/or education.
Members will serve four-year terms and will not be term-limited.
All committee meetings, which will be scheduled as there are acquisitions to be considered, will be open to the public.
According to the ordinance that authorized the referendum, the county will either buy land outright or buy a conservation easement, which means the land will remain in private ownership but its future development will be limited.
Purchase prices will be based on appraisals and negotiations. The County Commission will have the final say on all purchases.