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A Property Tax Worth Celebrating

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2007

It's not often the anniversary of a tax is worth celebrating, but Hillsborough's ELAPP program is a rare exception.

It's been 20 years since county residents voted to adopt the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, and it's proved a smart move for the environment and taxpayers.

The program uses a small property tax levy (up to a quarter-mill) to buy and preserve environmentally important lands. At the full quarter-mill, that's about $50 a year for a $225,000 house with a homestead exemption. It's currently levied at .2219 mills, which costs the owner of a $225,000 house about $44 a year.

The program has preserved more than 43,600 acres.

ELAPP maximizes its purchasing power by partnering with state acquisition programs, which have contributed about 40 percent of the $186 million spent on Hillsborough lands.

ELAPP protects wildlife habitat and ensures that future residents can enjoy Hillsborough's natural beauty. The effort also helps the county better manage growth, allowing it to preserve wilderness without violating landowners' rights.

Waters sources are protected and pollution prevented. Further, the need for costly roads and other services is averted when development can be kept out of the hinterlands.

ELAPP also heavily involves the public A general committee made up of volunteers determines its guiding policies. A group of citizens with environmental expertise selects the sites that are targeted for acquisition. A panel of business and real estate experts makes sure the prices are appropriate.

Voters first endorsed the program in 1987 and in 1990 overwhelmingly passed another referendum that authorized the county to issue bonds of up to $100 million the next 20 years.

But the program runs out in 2011. Another referendum will be needed to continue the acquisitions.

Property taxes may be a dirty word in Florida now, but Hillsborough residents are getting their money's worth and then some from ELAPP. It deserves continued support.

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