[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Mantua 12-26-2000 (Ch. 16A of the 1978 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
In April 2000, the Mantua Township Committee voted
to place on the November 7, 2000 Election Ballot the following nonbinding
public question:
"Are you in favor of the annual appropriation
of a sum equal to the rate of $0.01 per $100 assessed valuation per
year[1] in the Mantua Township Municipal Budget to contribute
toward the purchase by Gloucester County of Farmland Preservation
Easements In Mantua Township pursuant to the New Jersey Farmland Preservation
Program?"
|
[1]
Editor's Note: An additional annual levy of
$0.02 per $100 of assessed value of real property was imposed pursuant
to Ord. No. O-12-2004, adopted 6-8-2004 (on file in the Township Clerk's
office), and subsequent voter approval at an election in November
2004. Approval of the ballot question resulted in a total assessment
of $0.03 per $100 of assessed value of real property.
B.
The voters of Mantua Township approved the question
by a vote of 3,714 in favor to 1,566 against. As a result of that
vote, the Mantua Township Committee took action to place in the 2001
Municipal Budget a line item appropriation of $62,923.
The intent of this chapter is to establish a
Farmland Preservation Assistance Trust (FPAT) to encourage retention
of farmland and open space by placing into each annual budget an amount
equal to $0.01 on the tax rate. This Trust Fund shall be used to encourage
landowners to apply for the State and County Farmland Preservation
Program and help them gain additional qualification points by allowing
them to agree to a lower per acre price (called a bid down) than that
established by the state program approved appraiser. Payment shall
be limited to those landowners accepted into the State and County
Program for Permanent Farmland Preservation.
A.
Each year the Mantua Township Committee shall place
in the annual Municipal Budget an amount equal to $0.01 on the tax
rate. The amount shall be determined by the Mantua Township Auditor.
B.
The Mantua Township Municipal Finance Officer (MFO)
shall establish and maintain a Mantua Township Farmland Preservation
Assistance Trust by using the amount placed in the final adopted annual
budget to fund this program. The MFO shall make monthly reports to
the Township Committee regarding the balance status of this trust.
C.
This Trust Fund shall retain all interest earned for
program use.
D.
If this Farmland Preservation Assistance Trust Fund
is discontinued for any reason, the unallocated balance shall be transferred
to the Mantua Township Open Space Acquisition Trust Fund to be dispersed
at the discretion of the Township Committee.
E.
There shall be no money dispensed from this Fund until
an amendment to this chapter or a separate ordinance has been established
and approved that sets forth the qualifications, procedures, payment
formula and pay out method for permanent farmland preservations assistance.