BC 2012 02 20 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 20, 2012 (Regular Meeting) Page 978 Debbie Bost, Cooperative Extension Director, in response to questions from the Board, presented an overview of the approval process for joining the Voluntary Agriculture District and encouraged interested property owners to contact the Extension office or the Soil and Water Conservation District office for more information. She also advised the related information is available on several websites. Following a brief discussion, Commissioner Carruth MOVED to adopt the Countywide Farmland Protection Plan. Commissioner White seconded the motion. With regard to the Voluntary Agriculture District program, Commissioner White acknowledged the promotional efforts of Tommy and Vickie Porter and noted the protection afforded to farmland. The MOTION unanimously carried. (G -2) Planning (Soil and Water Conservation) - Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Application Dennis Testerman, Senior Resource Conservation Specialist, recognized Soil and Water Conservation District Board members Louis Suther and Tommy Porter, in attendance. He advised the Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is applying for $350,000.00 in Federal funds in order to purchase development rights and establish a conservation easement on a portion of Thomas Porter's farm and leverage $175,000.00 in State grant funding already received. He said Mr. Porter is also providing $175,000.00 for the application and reviewed certain aspects of the grant application that he believed would be viewed favorably. UPON MOTION of Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Measmer and unanimously carried, the Board approved the submission of the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program matching funds application. (G -3) BOC - Legislative Goals Mike Downs, County Manager, reviewed the list of proposed legislative goals as set forth in the Agenda and a short discussion ensued. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Measmer, seconded by Vice Chairman Burrage and unanimously carried, the Board adopted the following legislative goals: 1. Request Federal and State legislatures to stop passing on unfunded mandated programs to local governments. 2. Schools - Return North Carolina Lottery revenues to the schools' operating and capital improvement budgets. Return to original allotment structure and funding levels. 3. Board of Elections - a. Allow for the creation of larger voting districts. b. Allow county to reduce amount of operational voting precincts. C. Continue to permit Early and One Stop voting programs. 4. Require /permit state administrative offices to provide "sales tax" information when requested by counties /cities for their budgeting purposes. 5. Allow local public health departments /alliances to create and collect fees for restaurant inspections. 6. Oppose collective bargaining programs for local government employees. 7. Oppose shift of NCDOT (N.C. Department of Transportation) responsibilities to the counties. 8. Support the State's Pilot Project to Benefit Local Farmers and Lower Income Households. 9. Support the State taking over Motor Vehicle Registration and Tax Collection processes. 10. Maintain funding for Home and Community Care Block Grant services. 11. Maintain funding for Senior Centers. 12. Maintain funding for the Title V - Seniors Community Services Employment Program. 13. Maintain Medicaid funding at current levels. 14. Maintain funding for the Recreation Trails Program (RTP) by supporting MAP -21. 15. Maintain funding for the Park & Recreation Trust Fund. 16. To receive state funding to provide guardianship services as required under Chapter 35A of the North Carolina General Statutes.