Resolution 074-2003 414
COMMISSIONER DIXIE M. SPEHAR
RESOLUTION NO. °74 -2003
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY REQUESTING
FULL FUNDING OF ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
AND RESTORATION TRUST FUND
WHEREAS, Florida's number one tourist attraction is its beaches, with beach-
related tourism having a $41.6 billion impact on the state's economy and beach-related
tourism contributing over $1 billion in tourist-related sales tax revenues annually; and
WHEREAS, 442,000 jobs are created by beach-related tourism, with an $8 billion
payroll resulting from additional spending related to Florida's beaches; and
WHEREAS, over half of Florida's 825 miles of sandy beaches are experiencing
erosion, with 333 miles designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as
critical-eroded; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, has enacted Section 161.088, Florida Statutes,
declaring beach erosion to be a serious threat to the economic and general welfare of the
people of the State and that it is a necessary governmental responsibility to preserve
Florida's beaches and provide for the beach nourishment project; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, in 1998, pursuant to s. 201.15 (11), Florida
Statute, provided that, commencing Fiscal Year 2000-2001, $30 million shall annually be
deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Ecosystem Management and
Restoration Trust Fund,and that documentary stamp tax revenues shall be the source of
that funding; and
WHEREAS, this $30 million allocation has enabled Florida.to develop a consistent,
adequately-funded, priority-driven, long range management program to address critical
erosion; and
WHEREAS, this program represents cost-effective intergovernmental partnership
which leverages a dollar for dollar local government match, and up to 65% of the total
project cost from federal sources;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County strongly urges the
Florida Legislature to fully fund the Department of Environmental Protection's beach
erosion control project priority list for FY03-04 for $30 million as provided in chapter 161
and 201, Florida Statutes; and
2. The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County respectfully requests
that the Florida Legislature oppose any legislative efforts to amend the existing law which
allocates $30 million annually in documentary stamp tax revenues to the Ecosystem
Management and Restoration Trust Fund for purposes of beach preservation and repair; and
3. The Clerk is directed to distribute certified copies of the Resolution to
Governor Jeb Bush, State Senator Larcenia J. Bullard, State Representative Ken Sorensen,
and to State Senators Ken Pruitt and Charlie Clary, and State Representatives Bruce Kyle,
Stan Mayfield and Jerry Paul, for consideration by their respective appropriation
committees and subcommittees.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a meeting of said Board held on the 19th day of February, A.D., 2003.
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar
Mayor Pro Tem Murray Nelson
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner David P. Rice
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(SEAL)
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Attest: DANNY I. KOLHAGE, Clerk
By!lat-J o. ~SJ~
Deputy Clerk
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By
Mayor / Chairperson
....PPROVI!O AS fO F
AND lE.GAL SU Ie
BY