Agenda - 03-15-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 4 Representative Joe Hackney stated that the study commission has met seven times. He outlined the process that had been followed in obtaining input from citizens and from other professionals in North Carolina and other states. The lack of coordination is a most serious problem. Each department refers to its function as carrying out the environmental laws of North Carolina which is not the case. The concept of consolidating is the only thing the commission has agreed to. Senator Russell Walker stated he had some problems with the proposed plan. He talked about the issues of competition for the budget dollar and whether or not sanitarians should be made state employees. Information will be forthcoming on both these issues. Representative Joe Hackney stated that the administrative organization including the regional offices, is not one that will be addressed by this Legislative Committee. In answer to a question from Commissioner Carey, Joe Hackney stated that from the models they have seen in other states, there is a general consensus both in the academic and in the governmental communities that the consolidations has worked and that coordination is much improved. 2 . Dairy Cattle Valuation Tax Assessor reported that he reviewed the method he used in pricing dairy cows. Using the rationale that a dairy cow becomes inventory when the cow is held for sale, the $900 value on a producing dairy cow could be reduced by 40% to $540 which also corresponds very closely with the salvage value of a dairy cow when sold for beef. In answer to a question from Commissioner Willhoit, the average holstein is $550 going out of the herd. Commissioner Halkiotis expressed concern with the fact that the tax value for dairy cows increased from $350 last year to $900 this year. He disagreed with the State classifying cattle as manufacturing units. Kermit Lloyd explained the procedure he followed to arrive at the $900 valuation for dairy cows. Commissioners Hartwell and Carey endorsed Lloyd's recommendation to lower the price of dairy cows from $900 to $540, and the price of two year olds (not yet producing) from $450 to $300 with the effective date of January 1, 1988. There was a consensus of the Board that the valuation of dairy cows would be adjusted as recommended by Kermit Lloyd and approved by the Administration. Dairy Farmer Bobby Nichols asked for information on how to list his cows and Kermit Lloyd responded. Nichols stated that the dairy farmers think they are exempt from paying taxes on dairy cows and he proceeded with describing his rationale for arriving at an appraised value. It was decided that John Link would meet with Kermit Lloyd and Bobby Nichols to further discuss the way dairy cows are evaluated. F. ITEMS FOR DECISION--CONSENT AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Hartwell to approve the consent agenda as stated below: 1. Budget Amendments To amend the 1987-88 Budget Ordinance by the following amendments: GENERAL FUND Appropriation - Board of Commissioners $ 7,500 Source - Contingency $ 7,500 Appropriation - Data Processing $ 1,400