The Save Our Lagoon Project Plan for Brevard County will be presented to the Commissioners on Tuesday, August 9 at 9:00 am at the Government Center Commission Room, Building C at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. (Source: Marine Resources Council) Plan Summary: We stand to gain $2 billion in income and tax revenues by repairing the lagoon, versus losing $4 billion due to inaction, per year. The County believes we can repair the lagoon at an estimated cost of $300 million over the course of the next 10 years. The County currently lacks the funding to afford this enormous project. By assessing a ½ millage assessment on properties countywide, the County will be able to raise these critically needed funds. This referendum would cost approximately $44 per year for the average homeowner in Brevard County; a cost of less than $4 per month. Once local funding is secured, we can qualify for “matched funds” programs via State and Federal governments, which will be necessary for the plan to work. The plan targets fertilizer, stormwater, septic systems, re-use water, muck removal, and other pollution sources currently harming our lagoon. The plan defines clear metrics for evaluating the success of our efforts. Every precaution is being made to ensure these funds are spent in the most cost-effective way possible. The plan demands an independent citizens’ oversight board to approve or deny all requests to access these funds. This oversight board will be staffed by non-political, watchdog allies of the lagoon to ensure we avoid another debacle like Amendment 1. The plan requires coordination with other local governments and entities. If the Commission votes to move forward, there will be an initiative on the November ballot to pass a .5 mill property tax (50 cents for every thousand dollars of your home's taxable value), to fund the activities in the plan. A property with a taxable value of $100,000 would be assessed an extra $50 yearly. The plan is really well designed. It puts the money where it makes the largest impact. For example, it ignores septic tanks out west and concentrates on those that are most critical and close to the lagoon. The plan prioritizes activities by cost vs. impact, a logical way to go. THE LAGOON NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT NOW! Brevard County is creating a massive comprehensive plan for the restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Brevard County houses the majority share of the Indian River Lagoon by volume. We have current projects in place, such as storm water treatment and muck removal projects, but as you know, it's too little too late. The County needs to develop a strategic plan to access State funds. First we need some major skin in the game. We need a local sustainable and reliable funding source, dedicated to lagoon restoration, we need to have a match to receive those State funds. The County will be holding a meeting on August 9th, at 9 am to decide whether to start the public hearing process to put a property tax assessment on the ballot for lagoon restoration projects including: muck management, water treatment facility upgrades, septic tank removal, living oyster breakwater reefs, education, and monitoring programs. We all like taxes as low as possible. However, the County does not have the necessary funds to stem the decline of the lagoon, without this assessment. Act Now! If you are in favor of adding local dedicated funds to save our lagoon, please attend the August 9th, 9am Brevard County Commission meeting, in support of dedicated funding for the lagoon. Without you, our message will be lost to the "do nothing" crowd whose objective is lower taxes at all costs. Researchers have told us for decades the problems facing the lagoon. The time to fund engineered solutions that can save the Lagoon is NOW. If we don't act to save our lagoon, who will? Please tell our County Commissioners to ACT NOW! PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING AUGUST 9th! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR OUR FUTURE! The Marine Resource Council is coordinating the "Love Our Lagoon" t-shirts for supporters to display unity at the upcoming Brevard County meeting. (Tax Referendum at the Brevard County BOCC meeting on Tuesday, August 9th @ 9 am. Meeting agenda will be posted here: http://brevardcountyfl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1409 ) Contact your Commissioner today! Let them know you Love Our Lagoon! Tell them we need to raise the funds to turn our green water to blue. District 1 County Commissioner Robin Fisher (City of Cocoa, Titusville, & Port St. John) Phone: (321) 264-6750 email: D1.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us District 2 County Commissioner Jim Barfield (city of Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, & Rockledge) Ph: (321) 454-6601 email: D2.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us District 3 County Commissioner Trudie Infantini (City of Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, Malablar, & Grant-Valkaria) Ph: (321) 952-6300 email: D3.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us District 4 County Commissioner Curt Smith (City of Rockledge, Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Indian Harbor Beach) Ph: (321) 633-2044 email: D4.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us District 5 County Commissioner Andy Anderson (City of Palm Bay, Indialantic, Melbourne, Melbourne Village, & West Melbourne) Ph: (321) 253-6611 email: D5.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us Together we can bring the Indian River Lagoon back to health!