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(Courtesy photos). Thursday's County Council approval to purchase the sprawling Leffler Ranch between Samsula and Osteen as a futurewater supply paves the way for today's closing at $28.8 million.
Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:
SAMSULA -- Nestled between Osten and eyed by the county as the water source of the future, the Volusia County Council's decision to empty its wallet to pay for the 4,806-acre Leffler Ranch has assured a closing date today in becoming owners of the property in the Volusia Conservation Corridor.
The purchase price of $28.8 million will come from three sources -- $12.2 million that's left in the county's 20-year Volusia Forever Program; $11.6 million advance from the general fund reserves, and $5 million from the water utility fund reserves.
The $11.6 million loan will be paid back with available cash collected over the remaining 10 years of the Forever program. That money comes into the county from a 20-cent tax on every $1,000 of taxable property value.
The Volusia Forever Program was set up by the county to purchase environmentally sensitive property. Prior to the council Thursday approving the purchase, county staff had recommended the water and sewer utility fund borrow $10 million to pay for the property and then repay the loan with a 10 percent increase in monthly bills to water customers. But that didn't fly with the council.
Volusia County, like other counties in the state, is required by law and by the St. Johns River Water Management District to identify an alternative water supply.
Councilors agreed having the Leffler property would be better for the county and not have to partner with another county to build a new water plant on the St. Johns River.
In other council action, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson did not propose an ordinance prohibiting metal recyclers from paying customers with cash, as planned. Johnson said he was persuaded to hold off on the discussion until "more finessing" can be done on the proposed county law.
Johnson's ordinance would have forced recyclers to electronically report all transactions each day to law enforcement. This action is intended to stop or track down thieves who steal and then try to resell stolen copper, bronze, nickel and brass items such as piping, tubing and air conditioning units and parts. The sheriff has met with local scrap metal recyclers and plans to bring back a reworked ordinance when the council meets on Jan. 20.
About the contributing writer:
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Dale Smith is a resident of New Smyrna Beach, who has reported on local news in Volusia County since October 2009. His writing background includes a mix of journalism and public relations in several community newspapers and a p.r. firm in northern Virginia. He attended Barton Academy in Barton, Vt., and the Cambridge (Mass.) School of Broadcasting for radio & TV broadcasting.