Board of Supervisors put Conservation bond referendum on November 8 ballot
Posted:8/10/2016
Linn
LINN COUNTY, IA – August 10, 2016 – The Linn
County Board of Supervisors today approved a request by the Linn County
Conservation Board to put on the Nov. 8 ballot a $40 million, 20-year general obligation bond referendum to fund water quality and land protection, park improvements and trails, known as
the Linn County Water and Land Legacy.
These
priorities were identified through public engagement and input over the
last two years as the Linn County Conservation Board gathered public input and
developed long-term master plans for Linn County parks and natural
areas. All expenditures would be publicly disclosed and projects would be
guided by the master plans and managed by the Linn County Conservation Board.
A feasibility study conducted by The Trust for Public
Lands found the cost to the average homeowner would be about $27 per year, or
$2.25 per month if voters approve the bond referendum.
The Linn County Conservation Board would use more than
half of the $40 million for water quality and land protection. This includes
protecting and enhancing watersheds and greenway floodplains to protect
drinking water sources, buffer communities from flooding, provide floodwater
storage to reduce future flooding, improve water quality, and protect fish and
wildlife habitat for future generations.
Park improvement funding would add or improve existing
park facilities to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. Trail funding
would involve completing regional trail connections between communities and
trail projects associated with existing trails and parks. Both park improvement
and trail projects would be designed with emphasis on water quality, protecting
drinking water sources, and ways to help reduce flooding.
“I
am committed to helping Linn County grow - and part of that is making sure we
protect our natural resources for future generations of residents,” said Linn
County Supervisor Brent Oleson. “Clean drinking water, flood prevention
and investment in outdoor recreation are important to recruiting and retaining
a highly-skilled workforce and we want our outdoor resources to be there for
our kids and grandkids.”
The bond measure requires a 60 percent approval by
voters to pass.
Click here to find out more about Linn County's Water and Land Legacy