TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the City of North Port Land Acquisition Program Utilizing the Environmental Protection Fund.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Pursue all identified properties by priority ranking and availability.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Pursue all identified properties by priority ranking and availability.
• Pros:
o Maximizes flexibility by allowing the pursuit of all ecologically valuable parcels.
o Increases the likelihood of acquiring multiple parcels that meet conservation goals.
o Ensures use of Environmental Protection Funds directly tied to ecological benefit.
• Cons:
o Could lead to extended timelines as staff negotiate with multiple property owners.
o A less targeted approach may dilute focus across too many properties.
o Potential administrative burden associated with evaluating and negotiating numerous parcels.
Option 2: Pursue only the top 10 highest-rated parcels.
• Pros:
o Targets the most ecologically valuable properties, maximizing conservation impact.
o Allows for efficient use of staff time and resources.
o Provides a clear, data-driven prioritization process for decision-making.
• Cons:
o Limits flexibility if few or no top-ranked property owners are willing to sell.
o This could result in unspent Environmental Protection Funds if no transactions are successful.
o May overlook moderately ranked parcels that could provide critical connectivity or flood mitigation benefits.
Option 3: Focus exclusively on wetlands, floodplains, or stormwater benefit parcels.
• Pros:
o Concentrates resources on areas that directly support flood mitigation and stormwater management goals.
o Simplifies prioritization by focusing on clear, measurable benefits.
o Aligns closely with infrastructure protection and resilience objectives.
• Cons:
o Excludes upland or habitat connectivity parcels that are ecologically valuable but not flood related.
o May reduce opportunities for wildlife corridor protection and biodiversity enhancement.
o Limits the overall scope of conservation planning to a single benefit category.
Background Information
The Natural Resources Division has identified five major ecological areas throughout the City that contain parcels of high environmental value. These areas include wetlands, floodplains, and upland habitats that contribute to flood mitigation, water quality protection, and wildlife habitat. The proposed Land Acquisition Program seeks to use the Environmental Protection Fund to acquire and permanently conserve these properties. Acquisition would occur through voluntary transactions only, with willing sellers, and would support both environmental and community resilience goals.
The acquisition approach selected by the City Commission will guide staff in prioritizing negotiations, appraisals, and future grant applications to leverage City funds with regional and state conservation programs.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Environmental Resiliency & Sustainability
Financial Impact
$2,500,000.00 is budgeted in Fiscal Year 2026 under account 115-2755-537-6100, Project NR26PA, Environmentally Sensitive Property Acquisition, contingent upon an amendment to the Unified Land Development Code to merge the Tree Fund and the Environmental Protection Fund.
Actual expenditures will be determined based on the willing seller and the purchase price of each property.
Additional financial support may be pursued via grants and/or coordination with the Public Works Department, if applicable, depending on the specifics and location of the parcels.
Procurement
Property acquisition will follow City Commission Policy 2023-01 and the City’s Procurement Code.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. Map of Identified Ecological Zones
3. Parcel Ranking Summary
4. Land Acquisition Scorecard
5. Land Acquisition Scorecard Guidelines
Prepared by: Shanell Bosch, Environmental Planner, Development Services Department
Stefan Kalev, Natural Resources Manager, Development Services Department
Lori Barnes AICP, CPM, Deputy Director, Development Services Department
Department Director: Alaina Ray, AICP, Director, Development Services Department