Clay County meeting approves Baton Bay Road parcel for conservation easement program

At a Clay County meeting, members voted unanimously to approve entry of the Baton Bay Road parcel into the county's conservation easement program.

The decision followed public testimony from landowner Jim Farley, who said the 85-acre property includes roughly 65 acres he identified for preservation and described natural features including oak hammocks, pine plantings and Wolf Branch creek. Farley said he wants to keep the land in its current, agricultural and wooded state and expressed concern about development pressure. "I wanna keep them as long as they can," Farley said.

Dodie, a county staff member, told the group staff had reviewed the parcel and found it met primary conservation goals for water quality, wildlife habitat and connectivity, and forest and farm preservation; staff also noted possible environmental hazards related to historic cattle use but recommended the project move forward. "Staff's recommendation is approval of the project moving forward," Dodie said.

During discussion a committee member disclosed a history of doing business with Farley (cow leases) and said the relationship did not preclude voting. The member asked whether the homestead would be excluded from any easement; Farley said the homestead and buildings would remain outside the approximately 65-acre area under consideration.

After taking comments, the group approved entry into the program; the Chair called the vote and the motion passed unanimously. Nearby resident Ryan Worthington, who said he lives on Sharon Road close to the property, thanked members for the approval and said preserving parcels in the wildlife corridor helps protect local agricultural landmarks threatened by development.

The staff record notes an appraised or market value for the full parcel of approximately $867,873; staff and the County Manager later explained that acquisitions draw on a fund generated by a 0.2 ad valorem assessment (see separate budget briefing). The approval at the meeting authorized entry into the conservation easement program and does not by itself finalize purchase terms or payment. The record also shows staff offered to arrange site visits for members.

The meeting record indicates next steps include completing required owner signatures for additional parcels and continuing administrative processing of easement paperwork.