Orange County NC Website
1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 8. <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />farmers pursue farm-related businesses since EVAD program provides an expanded <br />definition of commercial-type businesses that can be exempted from zoning as part of <br />farm operation. <br />b. Consider ways to Streamline Building Permit process for farmers. The development of <br />the Agricultural Support Enterprises program and manual should facilitate the process <br />for farmers obtaining building permits for farm buildings and for farm enterprise <br />buildings. Delays can cause unnecessary hardships for farmers dependent on the <br />seasonal growing cycle. Sometimes buildings or greenhouses have to be built quickly <br />to allow a farmer to fully perform on contract. Also, delays in permitting can push the <br />timing of a necessary improvement into the seasons where farmers are most busy. <br />Promote Existing Tax Relief Incentives. <br />The County should ensure that county tax assessors have knowledge of the state's Present- <br />Use Value statute with continuous training as necessary, and should undertake to educate <br />farmland owners on the program, how to apply and comply with present use valuation of <br />farmland, including the new conservation category. All county staff involved with <br />agriculture should follow new developments in alternative energy, and alert farmers and <br />elected officials when new programs come on line that have the potential to benefit Orange <br />County and the greater Triangle Region. <br />In the meantime, Orange County may wish to pursue additional tax assistance at the <br />County and State level to help keep farming viable. Some of these benefits may require <br />pursuing special legislation, or new statewide legislation. <br />a. The County may wish to explore special legislation to further reduce the Present-Use <br />Value Taxation rates for all the three agricultural categories to further compensate for <br />the higher property values in Orange County compared to more rural counties. <br />b. The County should reexamine the way it evaluates property taxes for farm buildings <br />and machinery, and consider developing a farm rate for farm buildings and equipment, <br />similar to the present use value system for the land. <br />c. The County should pursue property tax deductions on land in donated easements and <br />on land enrolled in voluntary agricultural districts. <br />d. Farmers should also be encouraged to seek out special programs that provide <br />innovative financial and technical assistance for farm buildings. such as the Orange <br />County Local Landmark Program (which provides a property tax deferral for historic <br />farm structures such as the house and outbuildings) or the National Trust's Barn <br />Again! Program. The County may also wish to follow New York or Vermont's example <br />and pursue a state rehabilitation tax benefit for barns. <br />9. Provide Technical Assistance on other Farmland Protection Initiatives and Conservation <br />Options. <br />The Environment and Resource Conservation Department, Soil and Water Conservation <br />District staff, Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator, Agricultural Preservation <br />Board and other agricultural boards, should continue and expand educational programs for <br />county farmland owners with regard to land conservation options. The programs, in <br />cooperation with local NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation District, Cooperative Extension <br />and FSA staffs, as well as area conservation groups such as land trusts, watershed <br />protection groups, and wildlife organizations, should make farmers aware of the various <br />conservation funds available for easement purchases, the tax benefits of donated <br />Draft 6/1/2009 Action Steps to Ensure a Viable Agricultural Community <br />37 <br />