The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners at their November 21, 2006 Regular Board Meeting voted (5-1) to rescind the Leelanau County Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance and the Leelanau County Farmland Preservation Board. This followed a vote that failed in the November 7, 2006 election on the Farmland Preservation Ballot Proposal for a .5 mill property tax for 15 years to fund the farmland preservation program, which was turned down by county voters (7264 opposed, 4426 supported).
Therefore, the Leelanau County Farmland Preservation Program & Board under the Leelanau County Government has been terminated effective November 21, 2006.
Farmland preservation supporters in Leelanau County are evaluating aleternative ways to carry on the Farmland Preservation program effort in the future.
Contact the Leelanau Conservancy (256-9665) or Save Leelanau Farmland (228-2612) for more information on future efforts.
);)