Executive Summary
The Latest News from County Executive Jan Gardner
CALL TO ACTION - SAY YES TO AGRICULTURE PRESERVATION
I need YOU to show up and tell the County Council to vote YES to agriculture preservation
PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, March 10th
7 p.m. at Winchester Hall
My proposal increases our investment to save valuable farmland so we can reach the County's goal of preserving 100,000 acres of agricultural land. Preserving large blocks of land is key to ensuring the long-term economic viability of agriculture.
The time is NOW to preserve Frederick County’s rich agricultural land before our cherished fields are lost to development. We must act if we want to leave a legacy of agriculture for future generations.
Frederick County is home to 1,300 farms and more than 180,000 acres of farmland. Our farmers voluntarily apply to sell agricultural preservation easements on their property. Applications for our preservation programs far exceed the funding we have available. For example, we could only fund five or six of the 46 applications we recently received for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation program.
My proposal has broad support from the agriculture community. The Agriculture Preservation Board, the Agriculture Business Council, and the Farm Bureau all want to see this legislation pass. Other special interest groups, however, oppose the bill, so your support is crucial!
The legislation adds $1 to the county’s recordation tax. The recordation tax is a one-time charge paid on certain real estate transactions. With an average mortgage in Frederick County of $270,000, this modest increase would add approximately $270 to the cost for a buyer and a seller.
We would generate about $6.8 million if this bill passes. The first $500,000 would be set aside annually for three related purposes:
- Economic development grants to support agriculture diversification;
- Grants for rural historic preservation; and
- First-time homebuyer assistance.
The remaining funds would support the County’s agriculture preservation programs.
You can read the proposed bill online here. You can email the County Council with your support at CouncilMembers@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
Contact Me
Email: CountyExecutive@FrederickCountyMD.gov
Website: FrederickCountyMD.gov/Executive
Location: 12 E Church St, Frederick, MD, United States
Phone: 301-600-1100
Facebook: facebook.com/JanGardnerExec
Twitter: @JanGardnerExec