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Wayne County to hold hearing on enhanced voluntary agricultural districts; staff clarifies acreage and eligibility rules
Summary
Wayne County scheduled an August public hearing to consider updating voluntary agricultural district rules and adding an enhanced option with a 10-year commitment to earn grant and cost-share preference points.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners on July 15 agreed to define and consider adding an enhanced voluntary agricultural district (VAD) during a public hearing set for August.
Staff explained the proposed amendments would update the county's voluntary agricultural district ordinance, which county staff said had not been updated in roughly 20 years. Under current eligibility tied to present-use-value rules, agricultural tracts generally require a minimum acreage (staff referenced typical thresholds of 10 acres for certain farm uses, 20 acres for forestry and 5 acres for horticulture) and contiguity and identical ownership to qualify for present-use valuation and to join a voluntary agricultural district. The enhanced VAD would require a 10-year participation commitment and would offer participating landowners additional points toward grants and cost-share programs administered by entities such as soil-and-water districts.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about contiguity and whether smaller tracts (for example a 3-acre parcel) can be included in present-use valuation if an initial qualifying tract exists; county staff and an official identified as Al (present in the discussion) explained that smaller tracts can be brought in if the landowner has an initial qualifying tract in the same name and meets other statutory rules, and that forestry or agriculture management plans may be required for certain inclusions. Staff said some rules and interpretations have evolved over time and that staff would obtain further clarification from the assessor's office (Alan was mentioned as an authority on present-use-value rules) to resolve variable interpretations.
The board set a public hearing date to receive public comment on the ordinance amendments and asked staff to provide a clarified draft outlining exact acreage thresholds, contiguity definitions and the mechanics of enhanced-VAD benefits.
