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November 1998 Open Space Acquisition Ballot Measures

Cover of Voters Invest 1999
Download the report: Voters Invest in Open Space 1998
(pdf; 1.45MB)

Voters overwhelmingly approved ballot measures to protect open space on Nov. 3, 1998 voting in eight of 10 state initiatives and a vast majority of county and municipal open space measures. Below, the Land Trust Alliance has compiled the results of 148 ballot questions on open space funding, of which 124 (84 percent) were approved by the public.

Statewide Open Space Referenda

State Jurisdiction "YES" votes "NO" votes Explanation Funds committed
AL STATEWIDE 74% 26% Constitutional amendment authorizing $110 million in general obligation bonds to acquire, renovate and maintain state parks and historic sites $110 million
AZ STATEWIDE 53% 47% $20 million authorization for state funds to purchase state trust lands $220 million
GA STATEWIDE 47% 53% Would double real estate transfer tax and dedicate it to land protection  
FL STATEWIDE 76% 24% Extends indefinitely State's authority to sell bonds for land conservation $3 billion
MI STATEWIDE 61% 39% Dedicates $50 million of much larger bond issue to local parks and recreation $50 million
MN STATEWIDE 77% 23% Extends 40% of lottery funds directed to ENR Trust Fund to year 2025 $700 million
NJ STATEWIDE 66% 34% Dedicates $98 million annually from state sales tax for 30 years for open space acquisition $2.94 billion
NM STATEWIDE 49% 51% Would dedicate $620,000 to buy "ecologically-sensitive" lands  
OR STATEWIDE 65% 35% Dedicate 15% of lottery funds to parks, open space, and watershed protection $700 million
RI STATEWIDE 68% 32% Authorizes bonds for acquisition of greenways $15 million

 

County Government Issues

State Jurisdiction YES NO Explanation Funds committed
CO Douglas County 54% 46% 15 year extension of 1/6 of a cent sales tax; allows county to use $25 million in bonding authority  
CO Jefferson County 71% 29% Authorizes $160 million in bonding authority for open space acquisition $160 million
FL St. Johns County 44% 56% 1/2 cent sales tax to buy land for preservation  
KS Johnson County. 69% 31% $6 million general obligation bond for park acquisition $6 million
MD Baltimore County 74% 26% Question F: borrow for parks, preservation, greenways $3.09 million
MD Baltimore County 71% 29% Question I: borrow for land preservation projects $3 million
MI Washtenaw County 43% 57% Would raise property taxes 4/10 mill for 10 years for open space acquisition 50% (farmland); 25% (nat. areas)  
NJ Bergen County 63% 37% Dedicates $.005 per $100 assessed property value; $20 million in bonding authority 20 million
NJ Burlington County 59% 41% Double existing tax to $.04 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Camden County 67% 33% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value for farmland preservation  
NJ Essex County 63% 37% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mercer County 61% 39% Doubles existing tax to $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Morris County 56% 44% Increase existing tax to $.03 per $100 of assessed property value for acquisition -- farmland/recreation  
NJ Morris County 64% 36% Dedicates $.0025 per $100 assessed property value to establish fund for park development  
NJ Warren County 42% 58% Would double existing open space tax to $.04 per $100 assessed property value  
NM Santa Fe County 71% 29% A $12 million bond issue for wildlife, trails, and historic preservation $12 million
NM Bernalillo County 59% 41% 1/2 mill property tax levy for open space $7million
NY Suffolk County (Long Island) 66% 24% Authorizes $62 million in bonds for "Community Greenways Fund"; funds recreation parks, habitat, farmland pres. $62 million
OH Medina County 60% 40% 1/2 mill property tax levy for 10 years  
OH Summit County 60% 40% .85 mill property tax levy for 5 years  
VA Arlington County 72% 28% $8.5 million bond for land and facility acquisition $8.5 million
VA Fairfax County 71% 29% Allocates $20 million for land acquisition from $87 million bond for park activities $20 million

 

Town and City Government Issues

State Jurisdiction YES NO Explanation Funds committed
AZ City of Scottsdale 69% 31% Authorized continued use of 2% sales tax revenue for expansion of City's McDowell Sonoran Preserve  
CA City of Moorpark 33% 67% Special property tax increase for open space acquisition  
CA City of Santa Cruz 76% 24% $2.7 million of $7 million general obligation bond for acquisition of 246-acre parcel $2.7 million
CO City of Greeley 43% 57% Would dedicate a 1/20th cent sales tax for 10 yrs for land conservation; expected to raise $5 million  
CO City of Lafayette 49% 51% Would increase taxes for open space conservation  
CO Town of Breckenridge 37% 63% Would increase taxes for open space conservation  
CO Town of Silverthorne 69% 31% Tax increase for parks and open space  
CO Village of Snowmass 64% 36% up to $7 million in bond authority to acquire specific parcel; bonds to be repaid with property taxes $7 million
CT Town of Bethany 56% 44% Recommendation on open space spending $500,000
CT Town of Cheshire 60% 40% $1 million bond issue $1 million
CT Town of Orange 61% 39% $2.39 million bond issue $2.39 million
FL City of Davie 67% 33% Acquisition portion of $12 million general obligation bond for parks $2 million
FL City of Wilton Manors 63% 37% $3 million general obligation bond for park acquisition  
IL Clarendon Twp. 45% 55% $4.9 million bond to purchase town park land  
IL Glen Ellyn Twp. 40% 60% $0.20 increase per $100 assessed property value  
IL Homer Township 60% 40% $8 million general obligation bond for open space acquisition $8 million
MA Barnstable (Cape Cod) 54% 46% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact $15 million (Regional total for Cape Cod)
MA Bourne (Cape Cod) 52% 48% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Brewster (Cape Cod) 66% 34% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Chatham (Cape Cod) 66% 34% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Dennis (Cape Cod) 64% 36% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Eastham (Cape Cod) 61% 39% 3% surcharge on property tax bills;regional compact  
MA Falmouth (Cape Cod) 59% 41% 3% surcharge on property tax bills;regional compact  
MA Gloucester 62% 38% $1.9 million for purchase of 70 acres $1.9 million
MA Harwich (Cape Cod) 66% 34% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Mashpee 51% 49% Authorizes town to exceed spending limit by $2.5 million for purchase of 200 acres $2.5 million
MA Mashpee (Cape Cod) 52% 48% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Orleans (Cape Cod) 70% 30% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Provincetown (Cape Cod) 66% 34% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Sandwich (Cape Cod) 57% 43% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Truro (Cape Cod) 59% 41% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
MA Wellfleet (Cape Cod) 61% 39% 3% surcharge on property tax bills;regional compact  
MA Yarmouth (Cape Cod) 53% 47% 3% surcharge on property tax bills; regional compact  
NJ Closter (Bergen County) 53% 47% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mahwah (Bergen County) 69% 31% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Rivervale (Bergen County) 79% 21% New property tax of $.01 per $100 assessed property value for open space acquisition  
NJ Deiran (Burlington County) 37% 63% Would dedicate $.038 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Eastampton (Burlington County) 76% 24% Dedicates $.03 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Evesham (Burlington County) 59% 41% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Medford (Burlington County) 57% 43% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Moorestown (Burlington County) 73% 27% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mt. Laurel (Burlington County) 72% 28% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ N. Hanover (Burlington County) 47% 53% Would increase tax to $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Voorhees (Camden County) 61% 39% $10 million in bonds over 20 years $10 million
NJ Essex Falls (Essex County) 60% 40% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Cedar Grove (Essex County) 57% 43% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ E. Amwell (Hunterdon County) 61% 39% Increases tax to $.04 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Union (Hunterdon County) 70% 30% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ E. Greenwich (Gloucester County) 65% 35% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Hamilton (Mercer County) 40% 60% Would dedicate $.05 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Hopewell (Mercer County) 66% 34% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value for open space, recreation, farmland acquisition  
NJ Pennington (Mercer County) 77% 23% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Washington (Mercer County) 71% 29% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ W.Windsor (Mercer County) 74% 26% Increases existing tax to $.07 per $100 assessed property value; includes bonding authority  
NJ Edison (Middlesex County) 55% 45% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value for acquisition for next 15 years  
NJ Old Bridge (Middlesex County) 49% 51% Would dedicate $.01 per $100 assessed property value for next 10 years  
NJ Colts Neck (Monmouth County) 69% 31% Increases existing tax to $.025 per $100 assessed property value for open space acquisition  
NJ Hazlet (Monmouth County) 49% 51% Would dedicate $.01 per $100 assessed property value for open space  
NJ Holmdel (Monmouth County) 59% 41% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Manalapan (Monmouth County) 49% 51% Would dedicate $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Middletown (Monmouth County) 55% 45% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Millstone (Monmouth County) 52% 48% Nonbinding referundum giving town authority to buy recreation land  
NJ Tinton Falls (Monmouth County) 59% 41% Dedicates $.015 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Jefferson (Morris County) 63% 37% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mendham Boro (Morris County) 74% 26% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mendham Twp. (Morris County) 60% 40% Increases existing tax to $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Mt. Olive (Morris County) 54% 46% Increases existing tax to $.03 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Wharton (Morris County) 73% 27% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Plumstead (Ocean County) 71% 29% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Stafford (Ocean County) 43% 57% Would dedicate $.012 per $100 assessed property value for open space & recreation  
NJ Bernardsville (Somerset County) 63% 37% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Branchburg (Somerset County) 63% 37% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Bridgewater (Somerset County) 51% 49% Dedicates $.04 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Franklin (Somerset County) 58% 42% Dedicates $.03 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Franklin (Warren County) 55% 45% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Hillsborough (Somerset County) 54% 46% Doubles existing tax to $.04 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Peapack (Somerset County) 69% 31% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Watchung (Somerset County) 51% 49% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Hampton (Sussex County) 54% 46% Dedicates $.03 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Hopatcong (Sussex County) 43% 57% Would dedicate $.03 per $100 assessed property value for open space  
NJ Frankford (Sussex County) 60% 40% Dedicates $.01 to $.03 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Blairstown (Warren County) 42% 58% Would dedicate $.02 per $100 assessed property value for open space  
NJ Hardwick (Warren County) 63% 37% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Harmony (Warren County) 64% 36% Dedicates $.01 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Independence (Warren County) 52% 48% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ Liberty (Warren County) 51% 49% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NJ White (Warren County) 62% 38% Dedicates $.02 per $100 assessed property value  
NY Huntington (Nassau County) 70% 30% $10 million bonding authority for open space $10 million
NY Southold (Suffolk County) 66% 34% $2 million bond act for open space protection $2 million
NY Riverhead (Suffolk County) 60% 40% Created "land bank" to be funded by 2% buyers real estate transfer tax  
NY Southold (Suffolk County) 60% 40% Created "land bank" to be funded by 2% buyers real estate transfer tax  
NY Shelter Island (Suffolk County) 72% 28% Created "land bank" to be funded by 2% buyers real estate transfer tax  
NY E. Hampton (Suffolk County) 66% 34% Created "land bank" to be funded by 2% buyers real estate transfer tax  
NY Southampton (Suffolk County) 60% 40% Created "land bank" to be funded by 2% buyers real estate transfer tax  
NC City of Wake Forest 68% 32% Authorizes $3.2 million bond issue for parks and recreation, including land acquisition $3.2 million
OR Lake Oswego 65% 35% Authorizes $6 million bond issue for open space acquisition $6 million
OR City of Eugene 67% 33% Authorizes $25 million bond issue; $9.4 million for land acquisition $9.4 million
OR City of Portland 49% 51% $65 million bond for park renovation, construction  
OR City of Sandy 46% 48% $1.5 million bond for parkland purchase and facility development  
OR City of W. Linn 48% 46% $8 million bond for parkland acquisition $8 million
PA E. Bradford Twp 68% 32% increase income tax by 0.125% to acquire conservation easements  
PA Lower Makefield Twp. 71% 29% $7.5 million bond issue for open space preservation $7.5 million
RI City of Warwick 69% 31% Authorizes $3 million open space and recreation bond issue $3 million
RI Town of Bristol 83% 17% Authorizes $1.5 million bond issue for farmland preservation $1.5 million
RI Town of South Kingston 77% 23% $1.1 million bond issue for open space $1.1 million
RI Town of East Greenwich 71% 29% $1 million bond issue for open space $1 million
SC City of Hilton Head 79% 21% $12 million general obligation bond for land acquisition $12 million
TX City of Austin 60% 40% Proposition 2: authorizes $36 million bond for open space acquisition $36 million
TX City of Austin 57% 43% Proposition 8: authorizes $9 million bond for land acquisition to protect drinking water $9 million
TX College Station 65% 35% Authorizes $3.6 million bond for open space $3.6 million
UT Park City 77% 23% Authorizes $10 million bond for open space $10 million

Total state, county and municipal ballot questions: 148
Total approved by voters: 124 (84 percent)

Total funding approved (not including measures with no specified total): $8,283,628,000