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Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

Barry - Eaton District Health Department 2007 TOST Regulation

The (TOST) regulations as approved by the Barry County Board of Commissioners on June 26, 2007 requires that prior to a sale or transfer of a parcel containing an on-site sewage system and/or on-site water supply system the systems must be inspected by private inspectors and approved by (BEDHD).

Michigan Farm Bureau policy as adopted for 2008 states (We support the "point-of-sale inspection" of on-site septic systems.). The policy makes no distinctions as to who should perform the inspections nor as to the approval by any health department or other government agency. Michigan Farm Bureau policy also opposes fees for government regulations.

With empty houses, foreclosed houses, abandoned houses, and for sale signs littering Barry County the (BEDHD) fees are estimated to suck thousand of dollars from Barry County's economy.

Therefore be it resolved Barry County Farm Bureau

1. Supports time of sale inspections by the purchaser or someone of the purchasers choice.

2. Supports purchase offers pending inspection by private inspectors.

3. Supports lenders requiring inspections before loan approval.

4. Opposes GPS coordinates of all private wells being posted on the health department website.

5. Supports an update to the TOST regulation with input from inspectors, installers, sanitarians, and citizens. ADOPTED

Support for "Homes for Our Troops" project house in Barry County

Whereas, Military service in defense of America has long been an honored practice, and

Whereas, injury from such service sometimes results in long term disability, and

Whereas, such care often is burdensome, if not impossible, to provide for in standard housing units, and

Whereas, the Homes for Our Troops non-profit organization has chosen to construct a home in Barry County, near Hastings, for paralyzed Former Marine Joshua Hoffman that accommodates and provides for such needs;

Therefore be it resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau goes on record in support of said effort and, be it further resolved that members as individuals are encouraged to support that effort in any method of their choosing, and

Be it further resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau accepts the challenge of assisting in the completion of the landscaping and lawn establishment for said home,

Be it further resolved, that the county Promotion and Education committee coordinate such effort with such other groups as required to accomplish such project. ADOPTED

State Resolutions

Property Taxes

Businesses are closing and leaving Michigan at an alarming rate. State and local governments are offering tax incentives to businesses to move to Michigan or expand existing jobs, but many more jobs are being lost than created.

Home foreclosures are at record highs and many former home owners are becoming renters. High property taxes discourage landlords from making improvements, or purchasing vacant homes and turning them into rental properties.

Therefore Barry County Farm Bureau supports to abate property tax increases excluding residences until property taxes on existing businesses are brought down to a lower level. ADOPTED

County level fees and taxes imposed for driver's licenses, motor fuel tax, Vehicle (license plate) registration, and property transfers.

Whereas, fees and costs imposed upon citizens should reflect the cost of the services being provided for the fee and should be uniform for all citizens of Michigan, regardless of the county they reside in, and

Whereas, efforts are being made in the Michigan Legislature to allow counties to seek approval to impose up to $25 county fees per operator's license and $35 on chauffer licenses, and county level motor fuel taxes on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuels, and vehicle (license plate) registration fees, and

Whereas, any such fees and taxes could be in effect in one county and not adjoining counties and such fees could vary greatly between various counties leading to unequal taxation of the citizens of Michigan depending wholly on which county the happen to reside in or are traveling through, and

Whereas, such a property transfer tax is not related to transportation (road repairs) expenses for which it is being proposed, and

Therefore be it resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau (Michigan Farm Bureau) is opposed to any such county level fees or taxes, or imposed a transfer tax on real estate for the purpose of building and maintaining Michigan's roads and bridges, and any such fees or taxes are unequally imposed upon the citizens of Michigan depending upon where they reside, drive, or register their vehicle(s) in Michigan. ADOPTED

Amendment to current (2008) State Resolution # 81

Whereas, policy # 81 currently states "We support the 'point of sale' inspection of on-site septic systems.", and

Whereas, the current statement is ambiguous as to who should pay for said inspections, and if they should be voluntary or mandatory, and

Whereas, current policy has been quoted by a local elected official as an argument in his defense of his vote for the 2007 TOST Regulation,

Therefore be it resolved, that current policy # 81 be amended by inserting the word "voluntary" before "point of sale", and the phrase "with the cost of said inspection being negotiated between the buyer and seller" being added at the end after the word systems thus making it read: "We support the voluntary 'point of sale' inspection of on-site septic systems with the cost of said inspection being negotiated between the buyer and seller." (changes underlined) ADOPTED

Roadside Mowing

Mowing roadsides on state highways was reduced or in some places not done at all. We have tall vegetation that is reducing visibility on our roadsides, which could cause more motorist deer accidents along with more chance of grass fires in a dry time with more dead vegetation next to road ways.

Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau supports that funding should be made available to mow road sides on state and local roadways to improve visibility and reduce fire danger. ADOPTED

Roadside Improvement

Michigan road right-of-ways grow up to weeds and brush if they are not mowed. There are many miles of road right-of-ways that could produce hay if shaped correctly. If someone could harvest the hay from the right-of-ways the state and county governments would not have to mow the roadsides.

Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau supports that any new road improvements be done in a way that the road-side ditch sides are shaped so hay may be harvested from them and farmers or hay producers are able to harvest the hay in the future.

ADOPTED

Net Metering

1. Net metering is an accounting mechanism whereby retail electric utility customers who generate a portion or all of their own retail electricity needs are billed for generation (or energy) by their electric utility for only their net energy consumption during each billing period.

2. Net energy consumption during a billing period is defined as the amount of energy delivered by the Utility and used by the customer, minus the amount of energy, if any, generated by the retail customer and delivered to the utility at the location of the eligible unit.

3. In Michigan, a basic framework for regulated-utility net metering programs was developed through a consensus reached among Michigan utility companies and the Michigan Public Service Commission Staff in 2004.

4. Credits for Net Excess Generation - In a typical net metering program, there are three different types of energy to consider: (1) energy delivered from the utility to the customer; (2) energy produced by the customer's renewable energy system and utilized on-site; and (3) energy produced by the customer's renewable energy system and delivered to the utility. In Michigan's program, net metered customers will be billed for the first type of energy just as any other similarly situated customer of their utility company. There will be no customer charges for the second type of energy, and no credits from the utility. For the third type of energy, customers will receive a credit equal to the retail power supply charges that the utility charges similarly situated customers.

5. If, at the end of a billing period, the customer has produced and delivered to the utility any energy in excess of what the utility has delivered to the customer and the customer has used, that amount is termed net excess generation (NEG). Generally, Michigan utility companies will credit customers for NEG for an amount per kilowatt hour equal to the utility's retail power supply charges, and that dollar amount will be carried forward as a credit on the customer's next monthly bill. At the end of each year, however, the value of any remaining NEG credits will be claimed by the utility company and used to offset program costs, and the customer's NEG account will be reset to zero.

Generating electricity is very expensive when you consider the cost of wind turbine, solar collectors ect. One would hope not only to generate all their own energy but allow their NEG Credit to defray the cost of purchasing and installing generating equipment. We cannot forget that the utility owns the transmission lines that carry all the electricity. We also cannot give up NEG credits that have accumulated all year long.

Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau urges legislation that encourages fair reimbursement by the utility to the customer/producer and the accumulated NEG Credits don't cancel out at the end of the year and be carried over to the next year. ADOPTED

Farm Bureau Partnership

Resolution # 16 passed by the MUCC convention June 21-22, 2008

Whereas, agricultural land is an essential port of habitat, food source and survival of the state's wildlife and important for hunting and trappings; and

Whereas, the agricultural community raises and harvests our domestic animals for human consumption; and

Whereas, there are national and state groups known as the Humane Society of the United states, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and other animal rights and anti-hunting organizations currently leading campaigns that would prevent or change the proven methods used in raising and harvesting our domestic farm animals, without the benefit of science; and

Whereas, these animals rights and anti-hunting groups would prefer that all people become vegetarians, for the sake of animals; and

Whereas, the agricultural community is being attacked by the same animal rights and anti-hunting groups as the sportsmen, over the same or similar issues.

Now, Therefore be it resolved, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) will continue working with the Michigan Farm Bureau to prevent the animal rights and anti-hunting groups from altering or preventing the right to raise and harvest domestic farm animals and our right to be able to hunt and or trap the state's wildlife; and

Be it further resolved, that the Michigan Farm Bureau and MUCC work together within their respective policies and guidelines, to deal with animal species that threaten our domestic and wild animal populations. ADOPTED

State Reaffirming Resolution: Underground Storage Tanks

Michigan Underground Storage Tank Financial Assurance Fund Public Act 518 of 1988 (MUSTFA) which assists owners of underground storage tank systems in meeting environmental standards man dates by the federal government, a .00875-cent per gallon fee is levied on petroleum products sold in Michigan to help fund MUSTFA projects. In FY 2001-2002, MUSTFA fee revenues totaled $62.6 million. As of June 29, 1995 MUSTFA no longer accepts new claims, while unpaid claims will be paid from future revenues. This year the MUSTFA fee revenues are being used to help balance Michigan's state budget leaving no funds for their intended purpose. MUSTFA fees are still being levied on petroleum products but are not being used for what they should be.

Barry County Farm Bureau moves that MUSTFA fees be used for the intended purpose in the future or not be levied. ADOPTED

National Resolutions

Immigration Reform

Immigration reform is the most important and urgent issue facing the Federal Government today. There are estimates of 12 million illegal immigrates in the United States.

Humanitarian Crisis

Many of these immigrants are families with children, probably numbering in the many millions. Some of the children would be illegal, having been brought here by their parents; others would have been born here and are American citizens. Are we going to split apart families? Are we going to send children who are our citizens back to poverty and illiteracy in another country? Most of theses immigrants have strong family values and only want to provide for and educate their children. It must be terrifying when INS raids their homes at night and takes one or both of their parents.

Economic and Labor Crisis

The estimate is that the US will lose nine billion dollars a year because of the labor shortage. Michigan had less than 75% of the workers needed to harvest asparagus with losses of over $350 per un-harvested acre. Strawberries, oranges, apples and other fruits and vegetables are rotting in the field by the tons. The US is becoming more dependent on other countries, with less consumer safety guidelines, just as we dependent on other for oil. Builders, landscapers, dairies, food processors, and many more industries are dependent on immigrant labor.

Businesses and Regulations

The Federal Government is relying on business to enforce its failed immigration policies. Swift and Co. worked with immigration for two years on a program to insure that their workers were legal. The Immigration and Naturalization Services raided Swifts plants and caused an estimated loss of $30 million. Swift then sold out to a foreign company.

Employers are now being told they have to resolve any discrepancies on social security numbers or face stiff fines. Employers should only have to report the numbers and the Federal Government should enforce the laws.

Myths involving Immigrants

Don't pay taxes - legally all employers have to withhold social security and income taxes.

Low wages - most are paid above minimum wage. Many migrant workers are furnished with free housing, including utilities, and $10-$14 per hour

Taking American jobs - if Michigan has such a high unemployment - why can't Michigan employers fill jobs at $10-$14 per hour. Claims are that New York City has thousands of unemployed people. Seems odd that the unemployed can't travel 50-500 miles to get a job when the immigrants travel thousands of miles for a better life.

Homeland Security risk - the immigrants coming to America to work and better their lives are not terrorist threat. None of the 911 terrorists walked across a desert to get into the US - they came through customs.

Therefore be it resolved that the Barry County Farm Bureau recommend:

A. Until Congress fully and adequately resolves the immigration issues.

1. All enforcement proceedings against non-violent immigrants be suspended.

2. All enforcement proceedings against all employers be suspended.

B. Congress should resolve the immigration issue by:

1. Granting modified amnesty to all undocumented immigrants with a reasonable cost of fees and taxes.

2. Develop a worker identification system for employers hiring immigrants.

3. Permanently remove the responsibility of immigration enforcement from employers.

4. Develop a fee for work program, one that may encourage documentation as immigrants enter the county. ADOPTED


	About Us :: Board of Directors :: Newsletter :: Annual Meeting :: Office Info :: Contact Us :: How Do I Join? You need to have the Adobe Flash Player installed to see this calendar. Events Programs Member Services Photo Gallery Proposed Policy Insurance Agents Legislators Committees Proposed Policy Local Resolutions Barry - Eaton District Health Department 2007 TOST Regulation The (TOST) regulations as approved by the Barry County Board of Commissioners on June 26, 2007 requires that prior to a sale or transfer of a parcel containing an on-site sewage system and/or on-site water supply system the systems must be inspected by private inspectors and approved by (BEDHD). Michigan Farm Bureau policy as adopted for 2008 states (We support the "point-of-sale inspection" of on-site septic systems.). The policy makes no distinctions as to who should perform the inspections nor as to the approval by any health department or other government agency. Michigan Farm Bureau policy also opposes fees for government regulations. With empty houses, foreclosed houses, abandoned houses, and for sale signs littering Barry County the (BEDHD) fees are estimated to suck thousand of dollars from Barry County's economy. Therefore be it resolved Barry County Farm Bureau 1. Supports time of sale inspections by the purchaser or someone of the purchasers choice. 2. Supports purchase offers pending inspection by private inspectors. 3. Supports lenders requiring inspections before loan approval. 4. Opposes GPS coordinates of all private wells being posted on the health department website. 5. Supports an update to the TOST regulation with input from inspectors, installers, sanitarians, and citizens. ADOPTED Support for "Homes for Our Troops" project house in Barry County Whereas, Military service in defense of America has long been an honored practice, and Whereas, injury from such service sometimes results in long term disability, and Whereas, such care often is burdensome, if not impossible, to provide for in standard housing units, and Whereas, the Homes for Our Troops non-profit organization has chosen to construct a home in Barry County, near Hastings, for paralyzed Former Marine Joshua Hoffman that accommodates and provides for such needs; Therefore be it resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau goes on record in support of said effort and, be it further resolved that members as individuals are encouraged to support that effort in any method of their choosing, and Be it further resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau accepts the challenge of assisting in the completion of the landscaping and lawn establishment for said home, Be it further resolved, that the county Promotion and Education committee coordinate such effort with such other groups as required to accomplish such project. ADOPTED State Resolutions Property Taxes Businesses are closing and leaving Michigan at an alarming rate. State and local governments are offering tax incentives to businesses to move to Michigan or expand existing jobs, but many more jobs are being lost than created. Home foreclosures are at record highs and many former home owners are becoming renters. High property taxes discourage landlords from making improvements, or purchasing vacant homes and turning them into rental properties. Therefore Barry County Farm Bureau supports to abate property tax increases excluding residences until property taxes on existing businesses are brought down to a lower level. ADOPTED County level fees and taxes imposed for driver's licenses, motor fuel tax, Vehicle (license plate) registration, and property transfers. Whereas, fees and costs imposed upon citizens should reflect the cost of the services being provided for the fee and should be uniform for all citizens of Michigan, regardless of the county they reside in, and Whereas, efforts are being made in the Michigan Legislature to allow counties to seek approval to impose up to $25 county fees per operator's license and $35 on chauffer licenses, and county level motor fuel taxes on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuels, and vehicle (license plate) registration fees, and Whereas, any such fees and taxes could be in effect in one county and not adjoining counties and such fees could vary greatly between various counties leading to unequal taxation of the citizens of Michigan depending wholly on which county the happen to reside in or are traveling through, and Whereas, such a property transfer tax is not related to transportation (road repairs) expenses for which it is being proposed, and Therefore be it resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau (Michigan Farm Bureau) is opposed to any such county level fees or taxes, or imposed a transfer tax on real estate for the purpose of building and maintaining Michigan's roads and bridges, and any such fees or taxes are unequally imposed upon the citizens of Michigan depending upon where they reside, drive, or register their vehicle(s) in Michigan. ADOPTED Amendment to current (2008) State Resolution # 81 Whereas, policy # 81 currently states "We support the 'point of sale' inspection of on-site septic systems.", and Whereas, the current statement is ambiguous as to who should pay for said inspections, and if they should be voluntary or mandatory, and Whereas, current policy has been quoted by a local elected official as an argument in his defense of his vote for the 2007 TOST Regulation, Therefore be it resolved, that current policy # 81 be amended by inserting the word "voluntary" before "point of sale", and the phrase "with the cost of said inspection being negotiated between the buyer and seller" being added at the end after the word systems thus making it read: "We support the voluntary 'point of sale' inspection of on-site septic systems with the cost of said inspection being negotiated between the buyer and seller." (changes underlined) ADOPTED Roadside Mowing Mowing roadsides on state highways was reduced or in some places not done at all. We have tall vegetation that is reducing visibility on our roadsides, which could cause more motorist deer accidents along with more chance of grass fires in a dry time with more dead vegetation next to road ways. Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau supports that funding should be made available to mow road sides on state and local roadways to improve visibility and reduce fire danger. ADOPTED Roadside Improvement Michigan road right-of-ways grow up to weeds and brush if they are not mowed. There are many miles of road right-of-ways that could produce hay if shaped correctly. If someone could harvest the hay from the right-of-ways the state and county governments would not have to mow the roadsides. Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau supports that any new road improvements be done in a way that the road-side ditch sides are shaped so hay may be harvested from them and farmers or hay producers are able to harvest the hay in the future. ADOPTED Net Metering 1. Net metering is an accounting mechanism whereby retail electric utility customers who generate a portion or all of their own retail electricity needs are billed for generation (or energy) by their electric utility for only their net energy consumption during each billing period. 2. Net energy consumption during a billing period is defined as the amount of energy delivered by the Utility and used by the customer, minus the amount of energy, if any, generated by the retail customer and delivered to the utility at the location of the eligible unit. 3. In Michigan, a basic framework for regulated-utility net metering programs was developed through a consensus reached among Michigan utility companies and the Michigan Public Service Commission Staff in 2004. 4. Credits for Net Excess Generation - In a typical net metering program, there are three different types of energy to consider: (1) energy delivered from the utility to the customer; (2) energy produced by the customer's renewable energy system and utilized on-site; and (3) energy produced by the customer's renewable energy system and delivered to the utility. In Michigan's program, net metered customers will be billed for the first type of energy just as any other similarly situated customer of their utility company. There will be no customer charges for the second type of energy, and no credits from the utility. For the third type of energy, customers will receive a credit equal to the retail power supply charges that the utility charges similarly situated customers. 5. If, at the end of a billing period, the customer has produced and delivered to the utility any energy in excess of what the utility has delivered to the customer and the customer has used, that amount is termed net excess generation (NEG). Generally, Michigan utility companies will credit customers for NEG for an amount per kilowatt hour equal to the utility's retail power supply charges, and that dollar amount will be carried forward as a credit on the customer's next monthly bill. At the end of each year, however, the value of any remaining NEG credits will be claimed by the utility company and used to offset program costs, and the customer's NEG account will be reset to zero. Generating electricity is very expensive when you consider the cost of wind turbine, solar collectors ect. One would hope not only to generate all their own energy but allow their NEG Credit to defray the cost of purchasing and installing generating equipment. We cannot forget that the utility owns the transmission lines that carry all the electricity. We also cannot give up NEG credits that have accumulated all year long. Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau urges legislation that encourages fair reimbursement by the utility to the customer/producer and the accumulated NEG Credits don't cancel out at the end of the year and be carried over to the next year. ADOPTED Farm Bureau Partnership Resolution # 16 passed by the MUCC convention June 21-22, 2008 Whereas, agricultural land is an essential port of habitat, food source and survival of the state's wildlife and important for hunting and trappings; and Whereas, the agricultural community raises and harvests our domestic animals for human consumption; and Whereas, there are national and state groups known as the Humane Society of the United states, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and other animal rights and anti-hunting organizations currently leading campaigns that would prevent or change the proven methods used in raising and harvesting our domestic farm animals, without the benefit of science; and Whereas, these animals rights and anti-hunting groups would prefer that all people become vegetarians, for the sake of animals; and Whereas, the agricultural community is being attacked by the same animal rights and anti-hunting groups as the sportsmen, over the same or similar issues. Now, Therefore be it resolved, that Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) will continue working with the Michigan Farm Bureau to prevent the animal rights and anti-hunting groups from altering or preventing the right to raise and harvest domestic farm animals and our right to be able to hunt and or trap the state's wildlife; and Be it further resolved, that the Michigan Farm Bureau and MUCC work together within their respective policies and guidelines, to deal with animal species that threaten our domestic and wild animal populations. ADOPTED State Reaffirming Resolution: Underground Storage Tanks Michigan Underground Storage Tank Financial Assurance Fund Public Act 518 of 1988 (MUSTFA) which assists owners of underground storage tank systems in meeting environmental standards man dates by the federal government, a .00875-cent per gallon fee is levied on petroleum products sold in Michigan to help fund MUSTFA projects. In FY 2001-2002, MUSTFA fee revenues totaled $62.6 million. As of June 29, 1995 MUSTFA no longer accepts new claims, while unpaid claims will be paid from future revenues. This year the MUSTFA fee revenues are being used to help balance Michigan's state budget leaving no funds for their intended purpose. MUSTFA fees are still being levied on petroleum products but are not being used for what they should be. Barry County Farm Bureau moves that MUSTFA fees be used for the intended purpose in the future or not be levied. ADOPTED National Resolutions Immigration Reform Immigration reform is the most important and urgent issue facing the Federal Government today. There are estimates of 12 million illegal immigrates in the United States. Humanitarian Crisis Many of these immigrants are families with children, probably numbering in the many millions. Some of the children would be illegal, having been brought here by their parents; others would have been born here and are American citizens. Are we going to split apart families? Are we going to send children who are our citizens back to poverty and illiteracy in another country? Most of theses immigrants have strong family values and only want to provide for and educate their children. It must be terrifying when INS raids their homes at night and takes one or both of their parents. Economic and Labor Crisis The estimate is that the US will lose nine billion dollars a year because of the labor shortage. Michigan had less than 75% of the workers needed to harvest asparagus with losses of over $350 per un-harvested acre. Strawberries, oranges, apples and other fruits and vegetables are rotting in the field by the tons. The US is becoming more dependent on other countries, with less consumer safety guidelines, just as we dependent on other for oil. Builders, landscapers, dairies, food processors, and many more industries are dependent on immigrant labor. Businesses and Regulations The Federal Government is relying on business to enforce its failed immigration policies. Swift and Co. worked with immigration for two years on a program to insure that their workers were legal. The Immigration and Naturalization Services raided Swifts plants and caused an estimated loss of $30 million. Swift then sold out to a foreign company. Employers are now being told they have to resolve any discrepancies on social security numbers or face stiff fines. Employers should only have to report the numbers and the Federal Government should enforce the laws. Myths involving Immigrants Don't pay taxes - legally all employers have to withhold social security and income taxes. Low wages - most are paid above minimum wage. Many migrant workers are furnished with free housing, including utilities, and $10-$14 per hour Taking American jobs - if Michigan has such a high unemployment - why can't Michigan employers fill jobs at $10-$14 per hour. Claims are that New York City has thousands of unemployed people. Seems odd that the unemployed can't travel 50-500 miles to get a job when the immigrants travel thousands of miles for a better life. Homeland Security risk - the immigrants coming to America to work and better their lives are not terrorist threat. None of the 911 terrorists walked across a desert to get into the US - they came through customs. Therefore be it resolved that the Barry County Farm Bureau recommend: A. Until Congress fully and adequately resolves the immigration issues. 1. All enforcement proceedings against non-violent immigrants be suspended. 2. All enforcement proceedings against all employers be suspended. B. Congress should resolve the immigration issue by: 1. Granting modified amnesty to all undocumented immigrants with a reasonable cost of fees and taxes. 2. Develop a worker identification system for employers hiring immigrants. 3. Permanently remove the responsibility of immigration enforcement from employers. 4. Develop a fee for work program, one that may encourage documentation as immigrants enter the county. ADOPTED Copyrights, Disclosures & Disclaimers