10-11-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--October 11, 1993 1123 23. 24. NATURE CONSERVANCY, Erie Township land acquisition Mr. Eckert represented the County Commission at a hearing of the Governor's Wetlands Advisory Committee held in Arthur, ND on September 28, 1993. The Nature Conservancy intends to purchase land in Erie Township and trade it for land in Ransom County. Mr. Eckert said there seems to be considerable objection from Ransom County residents for the Nature Conservancy to own land there, and Cass County landowners in the area of the Erie Township site expressed concern at the hearing about the process that was followed in this matter. Last Friday, Mr. Eckert was informed by the State Agriculture Department that the Governor signed the land acquisition form without a recommendation from the Cass County Commission. Mr. Eckert intended to advise the County Commission to delay their recommendation to the State Agriculture Advisory Committee until after a hearing in Ransom County on October 13, 1993, but doesn't see a need to respond now. Lynn Wolff, representing the Sheyenne Valley Grazing Association, said he is adamantly opposed to the Nature Conservancy acquiring land in Ransom County, one reason being that it takes grassland out of production. He requested that the Cass County Commission make a statement to the Governor that this situation was mishandled in Cass County, and this may have some influence at the Ransom County hearing. MOTION, passed Mr. Ness moved and Mr. Wieland seconded that the Cass County Commission go on record opposing the way that the Nature Conservancy land acquisition was handled in Cass County. Motion carried. A letter will be sent to the Governor. ROUND-UP PROGRAM, Implementation delayed for further analysis Mr. Risher suggested a round-up program to allow Cass County taxpayers to directly support the sponsorship program of Social Services by rounding up their property tax bills (i.e., if taxes are $734, the taxpayer rounds up to $740, giving the sponsorship program $6.00). The County Treasurer sends out 48,000 tax statements, Mr. Risher said. MOTION, withdrawn Mr. Risher moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to approve the round-up program to allow taxpayers to directly support the sponsorship program of Social Services for a period of one year, then to be reviewed as to viability of said program. Discussion: Mike Steiner, Data Processing Coordinator, said the current computer program cannot accommodate over- payment of taxes. He said it would require programming modifications at a cost of about ~70/hour. Before a full cost estimate could be provided, the programmer would need specific details of the program. Mr. Steiner also is concerned about trying to implement a program such as this with the tax season only 6-7 weeks away. Mr. Ness said property taxes are paid through escrow accounts for about 43,000 taxpayers, and he asked if Mr. Risher has contacted any of the mortgage companies. Mrs. Toussaint suggested that Mr. Risher work with escrow agents and find out the cost of the program before taking action to approve it. Mr. Risher said those who would be receiving sponsorship funds would be responsible for promoting the program. Motion and second were withdrawn.