Farmland Change On Tap

County commissioners are considering a change in the county farmlandpreservation program that would maintain consistency in incentive payments to farmers.

The county Agriculture Preservation Advisory Board recommended the change, said William Powel, county program administrator.

The commissioners sponsored a public hearing on the change Thursday and will vote on it later.

The advisory board recommended the county pay farmers incentives for preserving their land based on the average per-acre agriculture value, as determined by county appraisalsduring fiscal year 1989.

The change is prompted by a change in the way the state pays farmers for development rights to their land, Powel said. Because of the state change, farms with poorer soils would receive higher payments, and the county would end up paying farmers higher incentives, he said.

Money for the preservation program is tight. State officials slashed the budget for fiscal 1992, and the county also has trimmed its budget.

The commissioners will also vote to determine who will decide the amount to be spent for incentive payments.