March 8, 2005 | Commissioners increase ag easement purchase program

Mount Vernon News

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2005

Commissioners increase ag easement purchase program

by John Boyce
News Staff Reporter

MOUNT VERNON -- The Knox County Board of Commissioners raised the county's Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program fund an additional $10,000 Monday, bringing the total to $110,000 available this year to purchase 12 extra points for the county's top two applicants.

The commissioners took the action during a meeting with Doug Givens, Philander Chase Corp., and Randy Pore, Knox County Regional Planning, Monday afternoon. Local match efforts with the $110,000, funds from Philander Chase Corp. and the top two applicant farmers, will give both applicants more than 70 points on the state's application grading scale. In the last two years, no Knox County applicants have been selected for the easement purchases. It is hoped that purchasing 12 extra points for each of the top two county applicants will help in getting one or both into the running for selection.

The applications are due in to the state on Monday and, according to Givens, the state should determine which are eligible for selection later this month. If neither, or only one, applicant is selected, the county's unused funds are returned to the General Fund.