Agenda - 03-01-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Discussion ensued on the pricing of dairy cattle and the Board agreed that, although the pricing was done in accordance with State law, that the cows were all valued as coming into the herd when some were going out of the herd. ROBERT NICHOLS distributed information to the Board. He referred to the information and to the discrepancy in the legal opinions he received from various attorneys and people in Raleigh as to what the law says. He stated his opinion is that livestock is exempt from taxation. County Attorney Geoffrey Gledhill indicated that in the Statute a farmer is classified as a manufacturer and thereby cows used in the pro- duction of milk would be taxable. The solution is a legislative one. He noted that if the method Lloyd used in putting a value on a herd has flaws in it that the dairy farmers would have recourse through Lloyd and recourse through the Equalization and Review Board. Chair Marshall reiterated the situation and indicated that a decision to change this taxation would not be made this evening. Every effort will be made to come up with a solution that will be fair and within the law. Nichols distributed his "Plan B" which outlined what surrounding counties are taxing cattle. He noted that the assessed value last year for cattle in Orange County was $2,966,295 which resulted in $17,597 in taxes. He asked that if cattle could not be exempt from taxation that the value be more in line with the surrounding counties in which the farmers do business. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM. 2 . ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CONSOLIDATION AT THE STATE LEVEL This item will be placed on the next agenda. 3. CAPACITY USE DESIGNATION - PLANNING BOARD POSITION Planning Board Chair Barry Jacobs presented for the Board's information the position of the Planning Board in regard to the proposed capacity use designation for the Eno River. A statement will be prepared as general support for the need for a capacity use designation or a management plan which would accomplish the same purposes, and, if the State imposes a capacity use designation that it do so with the inclusion of the local government in the regulatory process. ADDED ITEM 4. CIP -- RECREATION AND PARKS UPDATE Recreation and Parks Director Mary Anne Black presented for infor- mational purposes an outline of proposed changes in the 5-year CIP. The funding for the recreational trails portion of the CIP would be moved to later years with the concept remaining in the plan. Commissioner Willhoit stated he would like to deal with the issue of whether greenways should be left in the plan or not. Chair Marshall stressed the importance of being sure the issue of greenways is worked out to the satisfaction of all elements of the citizenry. F. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Hartwell, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to approve the consent agenda as stated below: