Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Commissioners met with representatives from Owl Creek Conservancy and the Philander Chase Corp. on Monday morning to discuss the agricultural easement purchase program in the county. The commissioners also viewed a short video featuring interviews with Knox County residents who agreed to conservation or agricultural easements.

Doug Givens, managing director for the Philander Chase Corp., presented the commissioners with a map of the state showing the number of applications submitted by each county, if any. Knox County had 18 applications; only Ashland County had more, with 26 applications.

“Last year we were No. 4. This year we [are] No. 2,” said Givens.

The ag easement applications are graded on a point system. Givens said that at a previous meeting, it was agreed the commissioners and Philander Chase Corp. would both supply matching funds for the two properties in the county with the highest number of points.

“At the time, that, I think, was a good plan. The events did not make it possible for that to be a good plan at the end of the day,” said Givens.

According to Givens, in order to spread the AEPP program to more counties in the state, the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture ruled there could only be one application per county.

“So Knox County, this year, got one farm in the program,” said Givens.

After noting that Knox County has done well in the program in the past and is fifth in the state in terms of the number of agricultural easements in the state, Givens reached the crux of matter.

“The difficulty is, if you don’t put any money forward this year, we lose the points for next year, and therein is your perplexing problem,” Givens said.

Givens also said the difference in receiving awards for the AEPP program can be less than one point, and the $50,000 of matching funds the commissioners were willing to contribute this year amounts to three points for an application in the county.

“It’s that margin that allows you in or out,” said Givens, referring to the three points. “What the county does in putting support behind this program makes a big difference to us.”

Commissioner Bob Wise asked if Philander Chase would be able to contribute funds to the program next year if the commissioners agreed to contribute this year. Givens said that could only be done with the approval of the Philander Chase board.

“My thoughts are, you need to go to your board, and see if they won’t approve that, and that keeps our three points intact,” said Wise.

Givens said he would be willing to approach the board with the proposition.

Givens also noted the commissioners must have a final decision by Dec. 31.