$40 million conservation program will be on ballot for Washington County voters

Washington County voters will vote this November on whether to approve a tax increase to renew a program to protect the county’s waterways and conserve undeveloped land.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve a ballot question that, if approved, would authorize the county to sell $40 million in general obligation bonds over the next two decades to fund the county’s Land and Water Legacy Program.

In 2006, voters approved a similar referendum to fund $20 million worth of projects. On Tuesday, Commissioner Stan Karwoski said doubling that amount would get the county about the same buying power when accounting for inflation.

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