AG 1997 05 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A RESOLUTION REQUESTING UNION COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO SEEK LEGISLATION AFFORDING TAX RELIEF TO TURKEY GROWERS WHOSE FLOCKS HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED WITH POULT ENTERITIS-MORTALITY SYNDROME WHEREAS, Union County is the third largest turkey-producing county in North Carolina, producing 7.3 million turkeys for the year ending August 1996; and WHEREAS, Poult Enteritis-Mortality Syndrome ("PEMS"), first discovered in Union County in 1991, is an infectious, transmissible disease of uncertain but probable viral origin, characterized by growth depression and high mortality among turkeys; and WHEREAS, the prevalence of PEMS among turkeys in Union County has caused WLR Foods, Inc. to suspend the production of turkeys on 45 fmms in and around Union County in an effort to reduce turkey density; and WHEREAS, many turkey growers participate in the use value deferment program pursuant to which the ad valorem tax for their agricultural land is based upon the present use value of the property rather than its fair market value, which treatment results in tax savings to the growers; and WHEREAS, the suspension of production among turkey growers in Union County by WLR Foods, Inc. may reduce the agricultural income of such growers, resulting in their disqualification from the use value deferment program; and WHEREAS, upon loss of eligibility for participation in the use value deferment program, Union County is mandated by statute to seek immediate payment from the turkey grower of taxes for the preceding three fiscal years which have been deferred, together with interest which accrues on the deferred taxes as if they had been payable on the dates on which they originally became due. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Union County Board of Commissioners as follows: The legislative delegation for Union County is hereby requested to seek enactment of legislation for the purpose of affording tax relief to turkey growers who would otherwise be