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DG3pff�=7 <br />1 As voluntary agricultural districts are crested, up to eight <br />2 additional members may be appointed. Such members must be landowners in <br />3 a voluntary agricultural district. Farms which are part of a designated <br />4 voluntary agricultural district will be identified as such in the orange <br />5 County Land Records E'ystem, and a notice will be included to alert <br />6 persons using the system of all parcels that are within one -half mile of <br />7 such district(s). In addition, landowners belonging to voluntary <br />8 agricultural districts shall not be assessed for or required to connect <br />9 to orange County water and /or sewer systems. <br />10� <br />11 In response to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Mr. Collins <br />12 indicated that there is no tax benefit to the landowner from being in <br />13 this program. Mr. Collins noted that this program will be supported by <br />14 d the Land Records GIS system. Also, if a landowner wants to connect his <br />15 home to th " " MVI the program can be structured so that he is <br />16 only charged for one hookup to his house, while the remaining land <br />17 remains in farm land. The landowner is a part of the voluntary <br />18 conservation program only until he formally revokes the agreement. He <br />19 felt that 15 members would be sufficient, however, additional members <br />20 could be appointed if necessary to adequately represent the entire <br />21 C county. In response to a question from Mr. Waddell regarding Section <br />22 d XII, Mr. Collins indicated that there are a limited amount of funds <br />23-5 available for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. <br />24 There are limitations on the spending of these funds, unless the,county <br />25 uses its own money. In that case, these limitations will not apply. <br />26 He also indicated that after 20 years, a farmer could purchase back his <br />27 development rights at the current market value if the county we.s willing <br />?8 to sell these development rights. This is at the discretion of the <br />39 county. If the county does not desire to purchase them, the owner would <br />30 r need to find a buyer through normal channels. <br />31 a <br />32 In response to a question from Betty Eidenier regarding the <br />33 county not spending money to convert land to non --farm use, Mr. Collins <br />34 indicated that this provision would only restrict the county.4)�r ^� . <br />35 The basic intent is to assure that if the county is serious about <br />36 preserving farmland, it will not spend money where agricultural lands <br />37-4 exist. In response to a question from John Link, Mr. Collins indicated <br />38 that after an application is received it is sent to the Soil <br />39 `d Conservation Service and Department. If the results are <br />40 positive, the Conservation District can be approved by the Agricultural <br />41 ,n Advisory Board. The Board of County Commissioners appoint all members <br />42 d to the Agricultural Advisory board. <br />43 <br />44l Mr.Collins indicated that historically the Planning Department <br />45 N receives the application and reviewe-d" it for correctness before <br />46 a forwarding"to Soil and Water Conservation and <br />47 I �i,G Y S ti pal 5 arkic� . <br />48 Mr. Larry Reid asked if the prohibition on the county spending <br />49 money would also apply to the support of a study which is currently <br />50 being financed by the LOG group. Mr. Collins indicated that Section <br />51 X.B.3 prohibits the County from spending money even for the purposes of <br />52 conducting a study. Mr. Gledhill stated that provisions in the Water <br />