Chapter 435: Are You That Certain You Can Move Back into the Luo Family?
After everyone sat down, the deputy director said, "If there are no objections, the agreement can be signed in a few days. Due to the mountainous terrain, the annual contract fee will be one thousand five hundred yuan, and it can’t go any lower."
Luo Qiao thought for a moment. She felt the price was not high, but still spoke up, "The leaders also know that the land is currently overgrown with thorns. No matter what I plant, I first need to clear the land, which is a very troublesome task.
Doesn’t the commune have some support policies for such situations? After all, the land won’t be ready for planting immediately after being cleared. I hope the leaders can understand, as one thousand five hundred yuan a year is not a small sum."
After discussing with other officials, Wang Tiejun said, "We are also feeling our way across the river. You are the first one to step forward to contract the forest from our commune. The contract fee certainly can’t be reduced any further. After all, the land you are contracting is as much as one hundred mu, plus a pond.
In that case, the commune will allow you a one-year exemption from the rent. Starting from the second year, the contract fee will be charged, but the amount can’t be less. You know that if it were arable land, this price would definitely not be acceptable."
Luo Qiao was now satisfied and asked, "So the contract fee is for these fifteen... oh, actually fourteen years to be paid all at once? Or can it be paid annually?"
The deputy director in charge of agriculture stood up and said, "At the time of signing the contract, fifty percent must be paid upfront, with the full contract fee due within three years."
Luo Qiao said, "That’s agreeable. I’d like to know if I could have the right of first refusal when the contract expires in the future?"
The deputy director replied, "Certainly, but when recontracting, the contract fee will have to market-adjust. You wouldn’t have objections to that, right?"
Luo Qiao answered, "No, that’s only right. I have one last question: after contracting, all the plants grown and supportive facilities built on the land would belong to me, as they require investment. We don’t have any disagreement on this point, do we?"
The commune officials exchanged views and agreed to Luo Qiao’s request. The village officials had no objections either, and thus the matter was settled. The commune’s officials said they would arrange the contract as soon as possible and she could come back next week to sign it.