Minutes 03-27-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Representative Meyer said this is going to turn into a property rights issue and will be hard to win in the legislature. But to add fire codes will restrict who will be able to add these structures to their farms. Commissioner McKee said for a major venue it is important but not so much for minor farms. It will come down as to who will be able to afford to do this, to be able to add in the necessary fire codes. Commissioner Price said this may end up being a local bill at some point. Senator Foushee said it may be good if the Board could send that language to them so they can be prepared for the Farm Act of 2017 and they may be able to add a revision. Commissioner Jacobs said the Delegation may want to talk with Council Member Tim Bradley on the Mebane City Council since his area of expertise is with fire marshals/fire codes. Representative Meyer left at 9:30am. Agriculture— Support Conservation of Working Lands and Farmland Preservation- Commissioner McKee Support a revision to the revenue and acreage requirements of the Use Value Program to reduce acreage requirements and increase the income threshold. Item#29 in the Board of Commissioners' Statewide Issues Resolution Commissioner McKee said may farms are small nowadays and any support of reducing this affects these smaller farms and will reduce the tax burden. Representative Insko said she met with the Food Council and most of these are small farms and she will look into this. Commissioner Jacobs said this is worthwhile for Orange County and that is why the Board supports it. * Transportation Funding- Commissioner Jacobs Support increased state funding for transportation construction and maintenance needs, and support legislation to ensure that the STI funding formula recognizes that one size does not fit all and that projects in both rural and urban areas are prioritized and funded, and eliminate the cap on light rail funding. Item#34 in the Board of Commissioners' Statewide Issues Resolution * Also part of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners 2017-18 Legislative Goals — Commissioner Jacobs said most of this language is NCACC's language with the exception of the last part- eliminating the cap on light rail. He said this cap has put light rail on life support. They need to decide something soon and the essence is that Go Triangle is that they try to convince the FTA of the largest numbers in order to get more money and at the local level how do they make this up and the local transit sales tax may not be enough. The board does not want to jeopardize the county's long term financial situation. Commissioner Jacobs said that is where they are now and does the Delegation see any relenting on the cap.