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5 <br /> development in the County with their taxes. He felt that this program <br /> will help to preserve Orange County as it is known today. <br /> Patrick Mulkey, a Bingham township resident, addressed the issue <br /> of the proposed 5 million dollar bond. He indicated that loss of land <br /> is only partly due to residential and commercial development. He <br /> feels that the local governing bodies are also partly responsible. <br /> The Cane Creek Reservoir was forced upon Orange County by OWASA and he <br /> feels that it was not necessary to build that reservoir. He stated <br /> that OWASA is not interested in preserving farmland in the watershed <br /> due to the run-off problem. He requested that the governing bodies <br /> reorganize OWASA. He believes that Orange County has enough water to <br /> supply its needs for decades to come if everyone works together. He <br /> also mentioned that the Landfill Site Search Committee has narrowed <br /> their review to 4 sites only one of which has no farmland. He felt <br /> that this program would benefit only 12 households directly. <br /> Chet Cavallito, an Orange County resident, indicated that <br /> although he does not farm in Orange County he does own 30 acres of <br /> woodland. He asked if this program was to save the farms or the <br /> beauty of this community. He stated that the population density is in <br /> the southeast corner of Orange County. If those people want to <br /> benefit from having beautiful land they would have to drive a distance <br /> to see it because the bond would purchase land in the northern potion <br /> of the county. He asked for detailed information on how successful <br /> similar ventures have worked in other counties. He asked that Orange <br /> County consider the possible tax and legal consequences to both the <br /> County and the farmer. He indicated that the Nature Conservancy has <br /> requested that he place his 30 acres in a protected class, which he <br /> has done. He pays development rate taxes which have increased 500% <br /> over the last 5 years. He indicated that there are tax disincentives <br /> for i <br /> keeping the land in a natural state. It is good financial <br /> business to timber but it is not attractive. <br /> Robert Nichols, a Cedar Grove farmer, spoke against this <br /> proposal. He indicated that he owns 205 acres in Cedar Grove Township <br /> and feels that if he sold his development rights to the County now he <br /> would be taking a huge financial loss on the future potential value of <br /> his land. In his opinion, selling the development rights would really <br /> mean selling the farm because the farmer could not afford to buy it <br /> back. He stated that Forsythe County is no longer using this program <br /> to preserve farmland. A copy of his statement is in the permanent <br /> agenda file in the Clerk's office. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit stated that this is a "present value <br /> program" designed for the farmer who is ready to get out of farming. <br /> The sale of development rights would be at current value. <br /> Mark Chilton of Chapel Hill said he appreciated Mr. Nichols' <br /> analysis of the tax and other financial implications of the proposal. <br /> However, he supports allowing the citizens to vote on a five million <br /> dollar bond referendum for the Purchase of Development Rights. <br />