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more in net taxation. They found that for every tax dollar from a farm, an average of 23 cents in services is required. Every dollar generated in the subdivision requires an average of $1.25 in services, because they require schools, roads, fire protection, etc., he added.
Maryland set up a program to preserve farmland forever. For 25 years they have been using a transfer tax that goes into a fund called Program Open Space that is used to purchase land and to buy the development rights on farmland. Last year their General Assembly expanded the Rural Legacy Program, which will add another 200,000 acres in farmland easement.
Tacoma Park spent $50 million in the past 20 years, but they estimate they have saved $500 million in avoided service costs. For every dollar they spent, they saved $10. Maryland will spend $40 million this year to help protect farmland and North Carolina will spend $60 million. Virginia is the only state on the East Coast that spends no state money for the protection of farms.
Barney O’Meara, county resident, suggested initiating a one-half percent transfer tax when property is sold that would go into an open space fund that would provide for easements on agricultural land. McMahon cited legislation passed two years ago in the Virginia legislature that would allow for the purchase of development rights.
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