Commissioners create farmland preservation fund, allocate up to 50% of deferred taxes (capped at $100,000)

County staff described a proposed Farmland Preservation Fund policy to commissioners on April 7, 2025. Staff said many farmers want to place land into conservation easements but face prohibitive transaction costs, including surveys and legal fees. To assist, the proposed policy would set aside part of the county’s recaptured present-use-value (deferred) taxes when farmland exits the present-use valuation.

Staff said the policy would move 50% of collected deferred present-use-value taxes as defined in North Carolina General Statute 105 into a deferred-revenue account for farmland preservation on an annual basis, not to exceed $100,000 in any year. The full amount of recaptured taxes would still be recorded in county accounts; the policy sets aside up to half of those amounts for preservation expenses.

Presenters noted that annual receipts are uncertain: in some years there may be no recapture revenue and in others receipts could be substantial, so the policy is designed to be applied year-by-year and to be available as needs arise. Staff also said the county would not be purchasing land; the fund is intended to help cover costs associated with placing farmland into conservation easements, not to acquire properties.

At the meeting staff said roughly 13 farms had expressed interest in the program, and that the policy would be effective April 7, 2025 for the 2024–25 budget year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025). A commissioner moved to approve the Roaring County Farmland Preservation Fund policy; the board approved the measure by voice vote.

Staff said budget managers will report annual availability and farmers will request expense funding when ready; the county did not set a multi-year commitment beyond the annual cap and year-to-year allocation approach.