Commissioners vote to put farmland‑preservation bond on November ballot; set special meeting

Henderson County commissioners voted July 15 to move forward with a general obligation bond referendum that would finance farmland‑preservation efforts, directing staff to prepare documents for submission to the Board of Elections and setting a special called meeting for July 27 to confirm details. County Attorney Russ Burrell outlined the statutory timeline and legal steps required to place a referendum on the November ballot; Finance Director Samantha Reynolds explained that such bonds are customarily repaid over 20 years through the ad valorem property tax.

Board members and several public speakers during the meeting's public comment period urged the Board to let voters decide the measure. Dr. Ken Shelton, a retired physician who addressed the Board during public comment, said "farmland acreage has already decreased by approximately 20% and warned that losses could reach 40% in the future." Commissioners said they supported the principle of allowing voters to decide; Commissioner Rebecca McCall asked staff to develop a public education program to explain how farmland preservation would work for landowners and residents. The Board adopted a motion to proceed with the referendum, adopt required Local Government Commission notices and statements of fact, set a July 27 special meeting, and indicate a maximum bond amount of $25 million for planning purposes.