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Board schedules public hearing on proposed change to land-use revalidation requirement
Summary
County staff proposed removing the optional six-year revalidation requirement for land-use taxation and increasing the initial application fee to offset revenue; the board authorized a public hearing on March 25 after Farm Bureau representatives and supervisors discussed compliance and administrative burdens.
Southampton County staff asked the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 to authorize a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the county’s land-use taxation ordinance that would eliminate a six-year revalidation requirement.
Staff explained the state code makes revalidation optional for localities and said removing the six-year submission would reduce administrative burdens on property owners and county offices. To offset lost revalidation-fee revenue, staff proposed increasing the initial application fee from $50 to $100 and implementing internal review processes in the commissioner’s office.
Representatives of the Farm Bureau and several supervisors supported the change as a relief to landowners and administrative staff, while some board members asked questions about whether eliminating revalidation could weaken compliance checks. County staff and a commissioner’s office representative said most parcel changes are detected through other reporting and the Farm Service Agency, and that an internal audit process could substitute for owner-driven revalidation.
After discussion, the board voted to place the ordinance amendment on the March 25 agenda for a public hearing so residents and stakeholders can provide input before any final action.
