A proposal to tax Tavernier and Key Largo residents to buy a park and marina could go before voters in those areas this fall.

The Monroe County Commission will decide whether to proceed with a referendum to create a special taxing district at its meeting in Marathon Wednesday. The commission would have to advertise the referendum, hold a public hearing, then vote to put it on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. Only Tavernier and Key Largo residents would vote.

The Key Largo Recreation Committee, which is lobbying for the referendum, has been working on it since 2008. The group wants a piece of property similar to Founders Park in Islamorada, but not necessarily as big.

"What we're basically looking for is a piece of property that extends from the highway [U.S. 1] to the water, where people could hold events and have access to docks," said Key Largo Chamber of Commerce President and committee member Jackie Harder.

The referendum would call for property owners from Tavernier to north Key Largo, excluding Ocean Reef, to be taxed $2.50 for every $100,000 in property value. The money would go toward purchasing and maintaining the property. An elected board, voted on by residents within the district, would oversee the funds, committee member Doug Hench said. The board likely would hire a handful of people to manage the property, Hench said.

"There is a need for this type of venue in Key Largo," Hench said. "There's nothing like that here."

For years, some residents have been lobbying the county to buy the now defunct Rowell's Marina in north Key Largo and turn it into a waterfront park and marina. The unincorporated area has a swimming pool and park facility and a separate cultural and government center.

County Mayor Sylvia Murphy, who represents the Upper Keys, questioned if voters would support using tax dollars to pay for a waterfront park and whether such a park was needed.

The proposal comes at a time when local governments are trying not to raise taxes, add services or make purchases that would put an additional burden on taxpayers.

"I am all for putting it before the voters and letting them decide," Murphy said.

The County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway.

tohara@keysnews.com