HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-15-2011 - 5joRD- ~ of 1- o~-I
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 15, 2011
Action Agenda ,
Item No. _~ - 1
SUBJECT: Cost Share Adjustment for Breeze Farm Conservation Easement (Phase 2)
and Approval of Budget Amendment #4-B
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
PURPOSE: To authorize a reduction of $14,520 from NC Agriculture and Farmland
Preservation Trust Funds for the agricultural conservation easement for the Breeze farm
(Phase 2), and approve Budget Amendment #4-B.
and Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENTS INFORMATION CONTACT:
Approved Resolution (June 2011) David Stancil, 245-2510
Rich Shaw, 245-2514
BACKGROUND: On June 21, 2011 the Board approved the County's acceptance of a
permanent conservation easement for 153 acres of the Breeze farm located on Schley Road
in Cedar Grove Township. Since then DEAPR has been working with the landowner, closing
attorney, and federal and state funding partners to complete the project.
In August DEAPR was notified by the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland
Preservation Trust Fund (ADFP Trust Fund) that the state grant would be reduced from
$150,000 to $135,480. The ADFP Trust Fund had originally awarded $150,000 for this
project, but since the final purchase price for the easement will be less than had been
estimated when the County applied, the state's share of purchase price (25%) is also
reduced. The County was also awarded $172,000 in federal funds from the Farm and
Ranch Land Protection Program, but the amount of federal funds remains intact.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total Breeze Farm Conservation Easement budget will decrease
by $14,520 from $502,000 to $487,480. The revised cost share for the $487,480 budget:
$172,000 from the federal Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program, $180,000 from Orange
County, and $135,480 from NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust
Fund. The landowner (Colonel Breeze) will donate an additional 12% of the easement value
($64,500).
Budget Amendment #4-B
Conservation Easements:
Project # 20006
Revenues for this project:
Prior Years
Amendment FY 2010-11
Amendments 11-15-2011
Amendment FY 2011-12
Revise
Private Placement $590,632 $590,632
Grant Funds 586,000 $ 14,520 571,480
Transfer from General Fund 12,944 12,944
Total Pro'ect Fundin $1,189,576 $ 14,520 $1,175,056
A ro riated for this ro'ect:
Prior Years
Amendment FY 2010-11
Amendments 11-15-2011
Amendment FY 2010-11
Revised
Vol a Easement $31,000 $31,000
Brooks Easement $2,400 2,400
Moore-Stanford Easement
Breeze Farm Easement 502,000 $ 14,520 487,480
S kes Farm Easement 520,000 520,000
Unallocated 136,576 2,400 134,176
Total Costs $1 189,576 $ 14,520 $1,175,056
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board authorize a reduction of
$14,520 from the NC Agriculture and Farmland Preservation Trust Funds for the agricultural
conservation easement for the Breeze Farm (Phase 2) and approve Budget Amendment #4-
B.
~ES~ aaZi-- ~~3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
~~P~ RESOLUTION
Approval of Agricultural Conservation Easement
between ,
Orange County and William Breeze, Sr.
WHEREAS, agriculture in Orange County is an important facet of the economy and time
honored way of life in the County; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has an adopted goal promoting the preservation. of farmland in
the County; and
WHEREAS, one component of the Lands Legacy Program is the acquisition of conservation
easements on prime farmland within water supply watersheds; and
WHEREAS, the Breeze Farm includes approximately 153 acres in the Little River protected
watershed, consists entirely of prime agricultural soils, and is located in an agricultural
community with good access to farm markets; and
WHEREAS, Orange County intends to accept an agricultural conservation easement that
would help to conserve the natural and scenic values of this farmland; and
WHEREAS, matching grants of $172,000 and $150,000 were awarded to Orange County
from the Federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program and the North Carolina
Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, respectively, to help
purchase the conservation easement;' and
WHEREAS, a conservation easement on these approximately 153 acres would ensure the
preservation of this farmland for future generations and help to compensate the owners-for
this long-term commitment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby 1) accept on behalf of Orange County the agricultural conservation easement to
protect prime farmland owned by William Breeze, Sr.; 2) approve the execution of this
conservation easement agreement with William Breeze, Sr., in accordance with the terms of
the proposed easement agreement, subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney;
3) authorize the Chair and the Clerk to sign the easement agreement on behalf of the Board,
with a closing to occur on or about September 30, 2011; and 4) authorize County staff to sign
any and all closing documents upon consultation with the County Attorney.
This the 21St day of June, 2011.
~~
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
3
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board