Standard Format Tentative Budget Submission - Southwest Florida ...

IV. Program Allocations
District does not anticipate prior year funds will be available in fiscal year 2013-14 for land management
purposes. For fiscal year 2013-14, all land use and management activities will be funded from
ad valorem revenue and from revenues generated from the land such as silviculture, cattle grazing
leases and other activities on District lands. The District has extensively prioritized the land use and
management projects to allocate funding to the highest priorities for fiscal year 2013-14. District staff
have recently assumed more responsibilities for certain land management activities, such as mowing,
with the goal of providing the current level of service, while ensuring a minimum level of protection and
maintenance of natural systems and security. For fiscal year 2013-14, there is additional funding in the
budget for the feral hog control program, a priority for maintaining sensitive natural systems. The
District is also exploring the possibility of increasing revenue generation through existing practices such
as grazing and potentially new or innovative ideas that could help support land management while
maintaining the integrity of its public lands. These include a recent bidding process which may lead to
the leasing of a former Boy Scout camp on District lands in Citrus County for compatible recreational
uses
Budget Variances
The District’s overall funding for this activity is consistent with fiscal year 2012-13 in response to the
District’s efforts to bring costs in line with current ad valorem revenues.
Major Budget Items
Land management activities at Green Swamp West ($263,675), Green Swamp ($248,061), Feral Hog
Control Program ($177,652); Starkey Wilderness Preserve ($173,082), Weekiwachee Preserve
($132,668) and Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area ($118,492).
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