The South Florida Water Management District faces a defining vote at its meeting this week, one that could bring the agency to the fiscal brink and force an increase in property taxes for homeowners in 16 South Florida counties.
Two weeks ago, the districts financial advisor gave the agency a dire forecast if it proceeds with the planned purchase of land owned by U.S. Sugar, which, despite what youve heard, would do little to advance the important goal of Everglades restoration.
Still, the board appears determined to ink this sweetheart deal, no matter that the purchase would create operating deficits of $89 million and $110 million in each of the next two years.
The boards financial advisor says significant cuts will be needed in operations-and-maintenance budgets for current projects essential to the districts mission.
To make ends meet, the board will likely have to raise property taxes.
No matter the red flags, the districts unelected board is stacked to approve this deal, which was negotiated in secret by big-money special interests in Tallahassee.
Last week, in making two new appointments to the SFWMD board, Gov. Charlie Crist told the St. Petersburg Times that he applied a litmus test: an assurance that the new members would vote to approve the purchase or they wouldnt be appointed. Predictably, both appointees are on record as supporting the deal.
As Ive said from the start, the U.S. Sugar deal represents bad public policy. And just so you know, I was the sponsor of the Everglades Restoration bill as well as legislation that created the Florida Forever land preservation program.
But if completed, the U.S. Sugar purchase will swallow the districts budget for years to come and prevent progress on other water-supply measures identified as priorities, including the reservoir, pollution-treatment marshes and the flood-control protections around Lake Okeechobee.
So while this project is being sold as Everglades restoration, it would delay actual restoration efforts by using needed funds for land acquisition, while U.S. Sugar would retain the more significant tracts in the natural flow-way.
Making matters worse, the deal would give U.S. Sugar an exclusive right to lease back the acreage at below-market rates for 20 years.
In advance of next weeks vote, Im asking SFWMD Board Chairman Eric Buermann to be forthcoming about the consequences, including the tax increases that will be needed and the opportunities that will be lost.
Continuing to pursue this purchase is not just fiscally irresponsible, it is nothing short of reckless.
Paula Dockery, a state senator from Lakeland, is a Republican candidate for governor.
