10/29/2006

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Joan and Denis Garvin, dairy farmers in Solon Township, say they oppose the new farmland preservation tax proposed in Leelanau County. They said the millage will unfairly burden farmers with higher taxes and could hurt family farmers in the long run.

Farmland millage on ballot

Voters asked to help preserve properties

By
Record-Eagle staff writer

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Nita and Jeff Send operate a large orchard near Suttons Bay and support the proposed farmland preservation millage in Leelanau County.

CEDAR — Denis and Jean Garvin planted signs on their dairy farm urging Leelanau County voters to reject a proposed farmland preservation tax, and just like that curious visitors began knocking on their door.

"I told them we pay enough taxes," said Denis Garvin, a third-generation dairy farmer who in 1989 bought his family's Cedar farmstead from his father.

The Garvins want to pass the farm on to their own children, but they oppose asking county taxpayers to ante up 0.5 mill for the next 15 years to purchase farmers' property development rights. The proposed millage equals 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, and would cost the couple an additional $326.78(*) in property taxes each year.

"There are other options to preserve farmland," Garvin said, adding that permanently selling development rights will eliminate alternatives for the next generation of farmers. "It doesn't have to cost anybody more money."

If voters approve the new tax on Nov. 7, the levy would raise about $998,300 in the first year to support the county's farmland preservation program. Farmers who qualify could voluntarily sell their property development rights to the county, and the land would remain on the tax rolls.

The owner would retain all other rights normally associated with land ownership, but the easement would permanently limit residential development on the property.

The county established the preservation program in 2002 but has not purchased any development rights because it lacks local funding. The county's Farmland Preservation Board in 2003 recommended a request for 0.75 of a mill for 15 years, but commissioners voted against placing it on the ballot.

Jeff Send spent a sunny afternoon harvesting the season's apple crop on his family's farm near Suttons Bay, surrounded by property developers relish for its stunning orchard views. He said voters must invest now or Leelanau County's aging farmers will have few options but to sell for development to fund their retirement.

"We're already 15 or 20 years behind. If this doesn't pass and I develop, don't blame me," said Send, 53, who hopes the next generation of his family will keep the farm alive. "This is the chance for all those people who worry about development to have their say."

Members of Save Leelanau Farmland Inc., a nonprofit citizens group, aggressively campaigned in favor of the measure. Supporters tout a need to preserve Leelanau County's agri-tourism economy and predict the millage revenue would help permanently preserve at least 3,500 acres of farmland, perhaps more if funds are used to leverage state and federal dollars.

George Wellman, president of Save Leelanau Farmland, said the group received more than 150 contributions from farmers, non-farmers and business owners. "We believe this will benefit everyone," said Wellman, adding that residential developments demand more publicly funded services than farmland. "If people are only concerned about taxes, they should vote for this."

Opponents, on the other hand, contend the millage will tax everyone to benefit a few farmers and ultimately could end up hurting the county's farming industry.

Critics also point out that there's no guarantee an owner will continue to farm the land after selling development rights.

Tom Triebes is chairman of Leelanau Taxpayers United, a single-issue citizens group formed to oppose the tax. He said private donors should pay to purchase development rights and pointed to zoning and land use regulations as a better way to preserve farmland.

"I'm for farmers and farmland preservation," said Triebes, who is also a member of the county's farmland preservation board. "But the millage is going to hit all of the farmers."

But Brian Price, executive director of the Leelanau Conservancy, said there are no farmland preservation programs in the United States that have been successful without some public funding. The conservancy worked with private donors to preserve 1,000 acres of Leelanau County farmland during the last 10 years, while the county lost more than 10,000 acres of agricultural land since 1990.

"Donors want to see public commitment to the effort," Price said. "I do see this election as being very critical."

Participating farmers could sell the county all future development rights on their property or elect to retain the right to build one residential unit per 40 acres of land. The one-time payment would be based on the appraised difference in value between the land with and without development rights.

Any farm of 40 acres or more with at least 20.5 acres in agricultural use would be eligible to apply, along with smaller specialty farms that meet certain income requirements.

Melinda Lautner, a county commissioner and a farmer in Solon Township, said the farmland preservation board should push harder to find private funding instead of tapping farmers who are already struggling under high taxes. She voted against sending the millage question to voters.

"I don't think it's well understood enough that this could damage farming in the county," she said.

A Michigan-based family foundation offered a grant of $25,000 per year for the next five years — a total of $125,000 — to help the county pay for administering the farmland preservation program if voters approve the millage.

Triebes questioned the anonymous donor's motive.

"The timing of that offer was intended to influence the outcome of the election," he said.

Price said the potential donor worked with the Leelanau Conservancy on past projects and earmarked the funds for administration costs.