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Mutual Memo on Sunset Committee Recommendation - March 3, 2008

The Joint Legislative Sunset Committee met today in Tallahassee and voted to recommend that the Legislature institutes an up or down referendum on the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The proposed referendum would take place in conjunction with the 2010 Scientific Research Box Tax Referendum. The Legislature in all likelihood will vote on the Sunset Committee’s recommendation during the upcoming session which begins Tuesday.

We view the Sunset Committee’s decision as a positive development. Just last week, at the direction of our Board of Directors, Mutual sent the Committee a letter asking for more time to discuss the complexities of a referendum. With the two-year time frame laid out by the Committee’s recommendation, we will have until 2010 to canvass our members and subsequently decide on the referendum’s structure. Once we gather member input, we will be in a strong position to modify and adjust the terms and conditions of the referendum as necessary. The Committee’s recommendation will give us the time we requested.

Monday’s vote by the Sunset Committee is a start to a long process that in the end will positively benefit Florida citrus growers. Florida Citrus Mutual plans to be a participant in the process. We will keep you informed.

Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Mike