Local preserve along Tampa Bay could expand. Is the price too high for Manatee County?

Manatee County leaders are set to make a final decision on whether to buy land to expand Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto at Tuesday’s commission meeting.

State officials have identified the 98-acre property right next door to the existing preserve as a “critical” area for conservation that could help protect fish, manatees and other wildlife, preserve important mangrove habitat and provide resilience against climate change.

The cost of the purchase would be covered by a voter-approved tax fund to buy conservation lands that was created by referendum in 2020. The majority of the purchase would also likely be refunded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which has expressed strong interest in purchasing the property from the county through the Florida Forever program.

That would free up those funds for the county to make additional conservation purchases.

The Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee — a citizen volunteer group that advises the county on conservation land purchases — recommended that the county purchase the property in April 2023. That same month, commissioners authorized staff to pursue buying it.

Commissioners unhappy with asking price

At a board meeting on February 27, several commissioners said they want to buy the land but are concerned about the price that the property owners are asking. Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge claimed the amount was “millions and millions” above the land’s appraised value.

“If we continue spending large amounts of money over asking price we’re going to be shooting ourselves in the foot,” Commissioner Amanda Ballard said.

Commissioner Ray Turner said the land’s future conservation value should not factor into whether the purchase is a good business deal for the county right now.

The property was appraised at a value of $11.1 million in September 2023. The property owner’s asking price has not been made public, and the county did not immediately respond to a records request Thursday asking the amount.

Under Florida law, local governments can choose to exempt offers and counteroffers on land purchases from public record “until an option contract is executed” or “until 30 days before a contract or agreement for purchase is considered for approval by the board of county commissioners.”

But members of local organizations and residents pushed back on the commissioners’ concerns, noting that the purchase will still be a good deal for the county with the state’s support.

Commissioner George Kruse spoke in favor of the purchase, noting that it was a better deal than what the county paid for the recently purchased Crooked River Ranch property. The county paid $11.2 million for those 68 acres along the Manatee River in Parrish.

Kruse made a motion for county staff to present a “best and final offer” for the land deal during the board’s Tuesday, March 12, public meeting, and the motion passed 5-2.

‘One-time-only opportunity’

In a call to action on the issue in February, the League of Women Voters of Manatee County called the land purchase a “unique and one-time-only opportunity.”

“The purchase of this property which will expand Emerson Preserve will be something we, and future generations, will enjoy and be proud of. Don’t let this slip through your fingers,” said an email from the League.

At a February 27 board meeting, members of the League, Suncoast Waterkeeper, the Manatee Fish & Game Association and ELMAC spoke in support of the purchase.

“We have the opportunity to buy an incredible piece of property that’s been in the works literally for decades,” Manatee County resident Ruth Lawler said during public comment. “This is our money. Put it toward expanding that preserve.”

Nick Baden, a board member of the Manatee Fish & Game Association, warned that the land will be snapped up by a developer if the county doesn’t act.

“This is something we really, really want, and we’ve wanted it for a long time,” Baden said.

Tampa Bay Estuary Program, state support land buy

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP), part of the National Estuary Program, both penned letters to county officials expressing support for the land buy.

“I want to take the opportunity to inform you that the Division of State Lands supports Manatee County’s effort in acquiring the 98-acre Emerson Point Preserve addition property...” Callie DeHaven, a division director with FDEP, wrote to county staff.

The letter said the division is willing to purchase the property from the county at an appraised price that is approved by the state.

“Protection and restoration of key habitats present on the Emerson Expansion property will directly support ongoing recovery efforts and future resilience initiatives within the estuary that the TBEP and its partners are currently pursuing,” TBEP executive director Ed Sherwood wrote in a letter to the commission.

Scott Tussing, who was chairman of ELMAC when the group recommended the land purchase, said he understands commissioners’ caution about the price but hopes they can find a reasonable deal.

“It’s the last piece there. There is going to be a premium for the last piece,” Tussing said. “Maybe it’s worth the premium if we can get the help from the state.”

ELMAC recommended the land for purchase based on its potential to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, prevent pollution from runoff and provide recreation opportunities like hiking, biking, fishing and birding.

Vision for Emerson Point expansion

Like the existing preserve, the expansion would likely wind up being owned by the state and managed by Manatee County Government.

“There’s a lot of great opportunity there for more recreation and also some restoration,” Debra Woithe, the county’s environmental lands division manager, told the Bradenton Herald earlier this year.

“Similar to what’s been done out at Robinson Preserve,” Woithe added. “It has everything going for it.”

What happens next?

The Emerson Point Preserve expansion is on the agenda for discussion at Tuesday’s public Board of County Commissioners meeting. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Public comment can be made in person at the meeting or submitted in advance at MyManatee.org/comment by 2 p.m. Friday.

Commission meetings are livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel.