Orange County NC Website
5/26/99 <br />• Now in the process of creating a matrix of easements to <br />provide a picture of what they have, the gaps that <br />might exist, and what is happening with the properties. <br />2. Boulder County, CO (Nancy Dayton, (303) 678-6243) <br />Methods of Acquiring Land: <br />Sales Tax: <br />• In 1993 passed a sales tax for acquiring land <br />• Revenue from so far between $4 and $4.5 million <br />annually, which the county uses to pay off bonds. <br />• Sold idea of sales tax of ~/a of a cent <br />• Needed carrots to help sell the idea -certain areas that <br />everyone wants to stay open. Able to work out <br />arrangements to get them. <br />• In its life, it has generated $33 million, which has <br />allowed the county to `power shop." <br />• The community supported and initiated the sales tax <br />idea. <br />• Had deals in place before the bonds to buy 4-5000 acre <br />ranches <br />Details of buying: <br />• Find property ownership where wanted to purchase the <br />conservation easement <br />• Rolling option contract -purchase land over time, price <br />set in the first year <br />• Pay about 6% per annum on the balance <br />• The current board of county commissioners has to <br />approve the purchase of the additional land on a yearly <br />basis, but have every time so far <br />• Have some staff dedicated to just land acquisition on <br />their staff, including an attorney and paralegal <br />• Start the negotiation with a letter of inquiry, which lays <br />out the potential offer and. seeks to determine the <br />interest in the owners possibly selling the land <br />• Follow-up with a letter of intent to buy the land. <br />Includes an offer for x acres, legal description of the <br />land, the amount of water/mineral rights, other <br />conditions of the. sell, lease back, etc. <br />• Haggle,. settle, get contract with those terms in it. <br />• Will do a variety of things to get deal done <br />• Include the creation lots around beaten out house, add <br />value to the seller (can exempt subdivision policy if they <br />can show a clear public purpose) <br />• 1/35 acre zoning <br />