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RESOLUTION NO. 03-219
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CONTINUED
BEACH MANAGEMENT FUNDING OF $30
MILLION ANNUALLY FROM DOCUMENTARY
STAMP TAX REVENUES IN ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida, has made the following determinations:
1. Beaches are Florida's most recognized and productive
economic and environmental asset. Sandy beaches, including those
enhanced by beach restoration and nourishment, are Florida's
largest playground, public park, and habitat for endangered
species.
2. Florida had 75.6 million visitors in 2002, with beaches
being its number one tourist attraction.
3. Florida's economy benefits from $21.9 billion in direct
spending and $19.7 billion in indirect spending by beach-going
tourists (2000).
4. Beaches contribute over $1 billion in tourist-related
sales tax to state revenues annually.
5. There are 442,000 jobs created by beach-related tourism,
with an $8 billion payroll resulting from additional spending
related to Florida's beaches.
6. 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.
Ii.
7. The Florida Legislature, pursuant to Section 161.088 F.S.
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 governmental responsibility to
preserve Florida's beaches and make provision for beach nourishment
projects.
8. The Florida Legislature, in 1998, pursuant to Section
161.091, and Section 201.15 (11); unanimously reaffirmed its
commitment to our beaches by providing that funding of $30 million
annually be deposited in the Ecosystem Management and Restoration
Trust Fund, and that documentary stamp tax revenues shall be the
source of that funding.
9. This program represents a cost -effective intergovernmental
partnership which leverages a dollar for dollar local government
match, and up to 65% of the total proj ect cost from federal
sources.
10. To provide anything less than the $30 million in state
funding for FY 04 - 05 will result in federal and state matching
beach dollars being diverted to other uses, and will send a message
to intergovernmental partners that the State of Florida is backing
away from its commitment to healthy beaches for future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board strongly urges the Florida Legislature to fully
fund the Department of Environmental Protection's beach erosion
'.II ....
control project priority list for FY 04-05 for $30 million as
provided for in Chapters 161 and 201, Florida Statutes.
2. This Board respectively requests that the 2004 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.
After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as
follows:
Chairman Cliff Barnes AYE
Vice Chairman Paula A. Lewis AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Commissioner Doug Coward AYE
Commissioner John D. Bruhn AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 9th day of September, 2003.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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