DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Homer Garcia, III, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Edwards Aquifer Protection Program - Conservation Easement Acquisitions
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following ordinances associated with two conservation easements totaling 2,362.01 acres over the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone.
A) An ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $3,228,484.10, from Proposition 1 of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Sales Tax fund included in the FY 2020 - FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program, to Texas Heritage Title as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement, due diligence and closing costs on a 1,544.4-acre tract of land known as the Providence Springs Ranch located in Medina County, Texas.
B) An ordinance authorizing payment in the amount of $3,528,804.00, from Proposition 1 of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Sales Tax fund included in the FY 2020 - FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program, to Texas Heritage Title as escrow agent for title on a conservation easement, due diligence and closing costs on a 817.61-acre tract of land known as the Lazy K Ranch located in Medina County, Texas.
These actions also authorize the execution of necessary documents to accomplish said acquisitions.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The purpose of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program is to obtain property rights by fee simple purchase, conservation easements or donations of land over the sensitive zones of the Edwards Aquifer. This program was initiated in May 2000 when voters approved Proposition 3, a 1/8-cent sales tax venue up to $45 million for the acquisition of lands over the Edwards Aquifer for parks and watershed protection. Proposition 3 ran from 2000 through 2005 and was limited to Bexar County.
The 2005 Proposition 1 program was an extension of the initial voter-approved Edwards Aquifer protection endeavor and was extended by voters in 2010 and renewed again in 2015. Changes in s...
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