Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Road Millage

Whereas several of the Primary Roads in Charlevoix County are in need of repair;

Whereas current State and Federal funding is inadequate to repair these roads;

Whereas road repair funds collected by a Charlevoix County-wide millage would all remain in the County and be used only to repair roads in Charlevoix County;

Therefore, the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau encourages the Charlevoix County Commissioners to place a road millage to be used for repair of the Primary Roads in Charlevoix County on the ballot in 2008 similar to the road millage that was on the ballot in 2006. Furthermore, Charlevoix County Farm Bureau supports the passage of this millage if it's placed on the ballot in 2008.

Local Government

Whereas we support the concept of "government by the people for the people";

Whereas we consider the local government unit to be Township Government, and we feel people are better served by local government;

Whereas we believe it should be a local Township Government decision as to which government services can be administered most cost effectively and efficiently by Township governments or by a combined multi-jurisdiction entity;

Therefore we support Michigan's current Township Government system. We do not feel it should be mandatory for Townships to combine government services they now provide, (e.g. elections, property tax collections, etc.), with multiple jurisdictions, unless a township chooses to and determines that the Township's residents would be better served by the multiple jurisdiction system for certain services.

Use of Value-Added Cooperatives

Farmers are experiencing decreased income based upon declining product prices while retail sale prices fail to reflect the reduction in farm commodity prices. Farmers are experiencing

decreased revenue from timber sale prices on their property while retail sale prices of lumber fail to reflect such reductions. Farmers having gas royalties are experiencing significantly decreased revenues while homeowners fail to experience a commensurate decrease in natural gas prices from the utilities.

Charlevoix County Farm Bureau encourages the establishment of value-added farmer cooperatives in the following areas: sustainable timber cooperatives, natural gas marketing cooperatives, and value-added initiatives for existing production agriculture and innovative new crops combined with value-added marketing initiatives.

Charlevoix County Farm Bureau wishes to commend the efforts of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance to establish value-added agricultural programs, and further asks them to investigate the possibility of natural gas marketing cooperatives to benefit decreased revenues experienced by farmers having gas royalty interests.

Charlevoix County Farm Bureau further requests Michigan Farm Bureau to consider language in its state resolution to include sustainable timber cooperatives and royalty owner gas cooperatives.

Walloon Lake

Many farmers have an interest in being able to use Walloon Lake;

The current proposal to utilize state land located on the shore of Walloon Lake is the last remaining virgin forest on Walloon;

The state land is not easily accessible and would require substantial road projects to make a viable launching facility;

The proposed state forest facility is composed of very steep hills that can be easily eroded;

There is currently available an alternative launch site, and we would encourage both the Michigan Land Trust Fund and the Waterways Commission to consider the alternative site in Walloon Village which is the traditional gateway to Walloon Lake which is easily accessible with lighting, grocery, picnic area and swimming beach.

Purchase of Development Rights

Whereas, a Purchase of Development Rights Program (PDR) can be an important and useful land management option,

Whereas, the State of Michigan has developed a Purchase of Development Rights Program,

Whereas, in order for landowners in Charlevoix County to be able to apply for funds from the State of Michigan's PDR program, there must be a local PDR Ordinance in place.

Therefore, the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau supports the goal of its Land Use Committee to pursue the passage of a Charlevoix County Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance. We are asking both the Charlevoix County Planning Commission and the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners to support this effort and to work towards the passage of a county PDR Ordinance

with the help of the County Farm Bureau's Land Use Committee.


	About Us :: Board of Directors :: Newsletter :: Annual Meeting :: Office Info :: Contact Us :: How Do I Join? News Programs Member Services Proposed Policy Proposed Policy Local Resolutions Road Millage Whereas several of the Primary Roads in Charlevoix County are in need of repair; Whereas current State and Federal funding is inadequate to repair these roads; Whereas road repair funds collected by a Charlevoix County-wide millage would all remain in the County and be used only to repair roads in Charlevoix County; Therefore, the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau encourages the Charlevoix County Commissioners to place a road millage to be used for repair of the Primary Roads in Charlevoix County on the ballot in 2008 similar to the road millage that was on the ballot in 2006. Furthermore, Charlevoix County Farm Bureau supports the passage of this millage if it's placed on the ballot in 2008. Local Government Whereas we support the concept of "government by the people for the people"; Whereas we consider the local government unit to be Township Government, and we feel people are better served by local government; Whereas we believe it should be a local Township Government decision as to which government services can be administered most cost effectively and efficiently by Township governments or by a combined multi-jurisdiction entity; Therefore we support Michigan's current Township Government system. We do not feel it should be mandatory for Townships to combine government services they now provide, (e.g. elections, property tax collections, etc.), with multiple jurisdictions, unless a township chooses to and determines that the Township's residents would be better served by the multiple jurisdiction system for certain services. Use of Value-Added Cooperatives Farmers are experiencing decreased income based upon declining product prices while retail sale prices fail to reflect the reduction in farm commodity prices. Farmers are experiencing decreased revenue from timber sale prices on their property while retail sale prices of lumber fail to reflect such reductions. Farmers having gas royalties are experiencing significantly decreased revenues while homeowners fail to experience a commensurate decrease in natural gas prices from the utilities. Charlevoix County Farm Bureau encourages the establishment of value-added farmer cooperatives in the following areas: sustainable timber cooperatives, natural gas marketing cooperatives, and value-added initiatives for existing production agriculture and innovative new crops combined with value-added marketing initiatives. Charlevoix County Farm Bureau wishes to commend the efforts of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance to establish value-added agricultural programs, and further asks them to investigate the possibility of natural gas marketing cooperatives to benefit decreased revenues experienced by farmers having gas royalty interests. Charlevoix County Farm Bureau further requests Michigan Farm Bureau to consider language in its state resolution to include sustainable timber cooperatives and royalty owner gas cooperatives. Walloon Lake Many farmers have an interest in being able to use Walloon Lake; The current proposal to utilize state land located on the shore of Walloon Lake is the last remaining virgin forest on Walloon; The state land is not easily accessible and would require substantial road projects to make a viable launching facility; The proposed state forest facility is composed of very steep hills that can be easily eroded; There is currently available an alternative launch site, and we would encourage both the Michigan Land Trust Fund and the Waterways Commission to consider the alternative site in Walloon Village which is the traditional gateway to Walloon Lake which is easily accessible with lighting, grocery, picnic area and swimming beach. Purchase of Development Rights Whereas, a Purchase of Development Rights Program (PDR) can be an important and useful land management option, Whereas, the State of Michigan has developed a Purchase of Development Rights Program, Whereas, in order for landowners in Charlevoix County to be able to apply for funds from the State of Michigan's PDR program, there must be a local PDR Ordinance in place. Therefore, the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau supports the goal of its Land Use Committee to pursue the passage of a Charlevoix County Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance. We are asking both the Charlevoix County Planning Commission and the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners to support this effort and to work towards the passage of a county PDR Ordinance with the help of the County Farm Bureau's Land Use Committee. Copyrights, Disclosures & Disclaimers