HomeMy WebLinkAboutAg Board 3.5.26 MinutesFRANKLIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION
BOARD MEETING
March 5th, 2026 - 9:00 AM ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM 824A/B AGENDA
Members in Attendance: George Fries, Milton Rotz, Sam Small, Brian Brake, Milton Rotz,
Willie Hege, Vernon Horst.
Staff In Attendance: Quentin Clapper, Elizabeth Butler, Colleen Tidd
I. Welcome – Quentin Clapper
a. Introductions
II. Election of Officers
a. Jeff opens floor for nominations
i. President
1. George nominates Milton. Brian seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0
ii. Vice President
1. Vernon nominates George. George declines.
2. Milton nominates Lori Rice (not present). George seconds.
Motion passes 7-0-0
iii. Secretary
1. George nominates Brian. Vernon seconds. Motion passes 7-0-
0
III. Approval of Agenda – Action
a. Milton opens the floor
i. George motions and Vernon seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0
IV. Approval of Minutes – December 4th, 2025 meeting – Action
a. Milton opens the floor
i. George motions and Willie seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0
V. Public Comment
a. No Public Comment
VI. Staff Reports
a. Jeff provides information on the Farm Bureau Event “Data Centers: Why
Here? Why Now? It is open to the public at Scotland Community Center
March 27th at 7pm. Quentin Clapper will be one of the presenters.
VII. Old Business
A. Impervious Surface Restriction- Farms going forward
a. George F. Asks if there’s a percentage we have in mind that we
should consider not going above?
i. Would be determined as a board.
VIII. New Business
A. Active Farms Update
1. 2023 Farms- Liz Update
2. 2024 Farms- Liz Update
3. 2025 Farms- Liz Update
B. Bachtell, Rodney L. & McCloskey, Kathleen Farm - Discussion over
negotiation of price now that the cap has increased
1. Milton opens the floor for vote: George motions leave the original offer.
Brian seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0
C. 2026 Funding Allocation and Farm Selections
1. Total funds: $ 1,409,836.19
2. Vote to approve
i. George motions Brian seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0
3. 2026 Farm Selections
i. Kathy Hartung
ii. Paul Witter #5
iii. Paul & Pamela Witter #6
iv. Start View Farms LLC
v. Chad & Amy Andrews
IX. Other Business/Remarks
a. George recognizes Jeff and his time on board
b. Milton asks about Transource.
i. Town meeting will be held by Transource on March 16th 4pm-7pm. at
the orchards to discuss an alternate route.
c. Data Centers
i. Commissioner Horst discusses county’s SALDO amendment
ii. Public Meeting on April 1st.
X. Adjournment
a. George motions and Vernon seconds. Motion passes 7-0-0