R08-038
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1 RESOLUTION NO. R 08 - 038
2
3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
4 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING
5 FLORIDA FOREVER AND A SUCCESSOR PROGRAM;
6 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
7
8
9 WHEREAS, the Florida Forever program and its predecessor Preservation 2000 program
10 have immeasurably contributed to environmental health, quality of life, recreation, and
11 sustainability in Florida for this and future generations; and
12
13 WHEREAS, Florida Forever has acquired over one million acres throughout Florida
14 since 2000 and allocates $300 million annually to purchase environmentally sensitive and other
15 lands, and has done so through numerous successful partnerships with cities, counties, state
16 agencies, water management districts, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and others in
17 achieving its conservation purposes; and
18
19 WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through its partnerships with the Florida Department of
20 Environmental Protection, Water Management Districts, and others, produces benefits that
21 include clean air and water; healthy fisheries and wildlife habitat; improved water supply
22 protection; and protected open spaces including greenway corridors, park lands, forests, and
23 water bodies; and
24
25 WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities Trust, has assisted
26 Florida's cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources, meeting the
27 challenges of growth management, directing development away from coastal high hazard areas
28 and floodplains; fostering a healthier lifestyle for Floridians; and providing recreational outdoor
29 experiences in both urban and rural settings; and
30
31 WHEREAS, Florida Forever has helped to save many of Florida's beaches, rivers, bays,
32 forests, coral reefs and estuaries that provide the foundation for our $3 billion tourism industry
33 that attract more than 70 million visitors each year; and
34
35 WHEREAS, 50 Florida local governments have enacted land acqulSltlOn financing
36 programs in the past decades, and this conservation finance programs serve to leverage Florida
37 Forever funding and increase the impact of State land conservation funding; and
38
39 WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing rapid population growth, with approximately 1,100
40 new residents every day; and Floridians demand a high quality of life that includes green space,
41 access to water, pastoral settings and recreational opportunities; and
42
43 WHEREAS, Florida Forever and other land conservation programs must compete in
44 Florida's market of surging land and housing prices; and
45
46 WHEREAS, the effectiveness of Florida Forever has diminished because of escalating
47 land prices and the impacts of inflation; and
48
49 WHEREAS, the funding for the Florida Forever program will sunset in 2010; and
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WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that over $20 billion is
currently needed to purchase parks and recreational facilities, wildlife and wilderness areas and
open space for our state's increasing population; and
WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the Florida Forever
Coalition found that 78% of Florida's voters approve of the Florida Forever program; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of Florida Forever have included the Wilson Park land
acquisition, the Southeast Neighborhood Park, the Wilson Park Project, the Jaycee Park land
acquisition and the Jaycee Park Development within the City of Boynton Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct and hereby
ratified and confirmed by the City Commission.
Section 2. The City Commission declares its support to the State of Florida
Legislature for the creation and funding of a successor program to the Florida Forever program
and requests its legislative delegation to advocate for the creation and funding of a successor
program to Florida Forever.
Section 3.
That this Resolution will become effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~ day of April, 2008.
CHi OF B~~~ACH' FLORIDA
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ATTEST:
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