'Quality of life is very important': Martin County voters will decide on half cent sales tax to buy wetlands

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. - Voters in Martin County will decide if they want to a half-cent sales tax increase to buy up conservation land.

Jim Snedeker is with the nonprofit group called Martin County Forever.

"The water quality is definitely a number one issue," Snedeker said. "Preserving the quality of life is also very, very important."

The organization spearheaded the half-cent initiative.

"A year and a half ago a survey was conducted it showed that 62% of the populace were in favor of this initiative," Snedeker said. "And the reason that they supported it was that 37.5 % will be paid by non-residents. It will not apply to groceries it will not apply to school supplies and will not apply to prescription medications."

He said it's important to have guardrails in place to make sure the money is spent the way the voters want it spent.

"They include a nine-person citizens advisory committee, they also include an annual audit and they're also limiting the purchasing to four different areas," Snedeker said.

Martin County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to put the question on the ballot.

It's now up to the voters to decide.

John Maehl, Martin County's Environmental Resource Administrator, said the tax is expected to raise an estimated $180 million over 10 years.

"If the voters were to approve it we would probably look at what opportunities do we have early and perhaps bond some of that to go out and negotiate today's prices," Maehl said. "But it's all depending on whether or not the voters will approve it."

The question will be on the November ballot.