On Wednesday, the St. Johns River Water Management District approved a $245.6 million budget for the coming year, maintaining the same tax rate for a fifth consecutive year.

Although the rate stays the same, booming property values, growth and an influx of federal money will increase the budget by $29.1 million, or 13 percent, over this year's $216.5 million budget.

The district also takes in revenue from permit fees, land management fees and interest on investments.

The district's governing board approved a tax rate of 46.2 cents per $1,000 in property value. Under that rate, the owner of a $200,000 house who claims the standard $25,000 homestead exemption would pay $80.85 a year in property taxes to the district.

Some of the additional money will be used to help local governments develop new water supply and stormwater projects; help pay for the Indian River Lagoon Canal 1 rediversion; finance future pesticide clean up at Lake Apopka; renovate and repair district facilities; and expand the district's water conservation public awareness campaign.

The budget also includes $20.4 million to buy land to protect water quality, wetlands and ecological systems. And it allots $71.5 million for surface water restoration, including $3.7 million for the upper St. Johns River basin and $25.8 million for the Indian River Lagoon basin.

The district regulates water use and wetlands in all or part of 18 counties, including Brevard, Volusia, Indian River and Orange counties.

Contact Waymer at 242-3663 or email jwaymer@flatoday.net