Resolutions
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

     WHEREAS the voters of the County of Passaic did approve at the General Election of November 5. 1996, two ballot questions which authorized Passaic County officials to acquire land for conservation and preservation of open space and farmland by the establishment of an "Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund", pursuant to Chapter 283 of the Public Laws of 1991, and now authorized by Chapter 24 of the Public Laws of 1997; and

     WHEREAS the interpretive statements for the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recommended that the rate for the first year not exceed $.02 cent per $100 of total County equalized real property valuation, which funds would be used pursuant to Chapter 283 of the Public Laws of 1991 (since amended by Chapter 24 of the Public Laws of 1997), to establish an Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund; and

     WHEREAS by Resolution R-3 dated March 19, 1997, the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Passaic did authorize the establishment of an Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and the implementation of an "Open Space Tax"; and

     WHEREAS that Resolution R-3, dated March 19, 1997, was implemented, but as a result of a public hearing, the said Board decided not to implement the levy for the actual payment of the Open Space Tax in the 1997 Passaic County Budget; and

     WHEREAS it has been recommended that the rate for the first year be fixed at $.001 cent per $100 of total County equalized real property valuation rather than the amount set forth in the interpretive statement; and

     WHEREAS this matter has been reviewed by the Freeholder Committee for Finance & Administration at its meeting of February 18, 1999, and recommended for adoption,

     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Passaic that it hereby authorizes the following in conformity with Resolution R-3 dated March 19, 1997:

1. That the Passaic County Director of Finance is directed to include an authorization for the amount to be raised by taxes dedicated for the purposes of the County of Passaic, an "Open Space Tax" in addition to the County tax authorized in the 1999 Passaic County Budget.

2. The dedicated "Open Space" tax to be raised 1y taxation which shall commence on January 1, 1999, shall not exceed $.001 cent per $100 of total County equalized real property valuation.

3. The dedicated "Open Space tax will be used pursuant to Chapter 24 of the Public Laws of 1999 to establish an Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.

4. The dedicated "Open Space" tax assessment will be identified in the annual abstract of ratables for Passaic County at the prevailing assessed rate.

5. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

Dated: February 23, 1999.

MHG/JR

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

     WHEREAS the voters of Passaic County, in the most recent November election, passed two ballot questions which authorized elected County officials to acquire land for conservation and preservation of open space and farmland by the establishment of an "Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund;" and

      WHEREAS the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Passaic are desirous of establishing an Advisory Committee to assist it in implementing this open space trust fund; and

      WHEREAS the Advisory Committee will consist of up to 15 citizens of Passaic County and would consist of the following members; four of the members will be County officials and act as voting members of the Committee and shall consist of:

One (1) member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders to be chosen

by the board each year at its reorganization meeting.

The County Administrator or his designee.

The County Planning Director or his designee.

The County Parks Director or his designee.

Eleven (11) citizens members chosen at large from around the county, at least two (2) of whom shall be from the urban municipalities of Paterson or Passaic and at least two (2) of whom shall be from the northern municipalities of Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, Wanaque or West Milford. The balance of the chosen should be individuals with a background or interest in open space preservation, conservation, parks, recreation, historic preservation, municipal government, and/or taxpayer advocacy:

At-large members shall be appointed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for staggered terms of three (3) years. Four members of the initial Committee shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, four shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and three shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year;

     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Passaic that it hereby establishes an Advisory Committee to advise the said Board of Chosen Freeholders in the establishment of an Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth above; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Passaic County, at a later date, shall appoint the 11 citizen members according to the criteria established above.

Date: September 3, 1997

_____________________________________________________________________________________________