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I am offering the following information in hope of improving the County's
real property tax revenues.
One area of concern relates to ag use assessments. It is not unusual for
property owners to see reductions up to 99% of their real property tax bill based
upon an ag use assessment. Under existing County law it is not necessary to
formally dedicate an agricultural zoned parcel in order to receive a preferential
agricultural use assessment. Consequently most ag use parcels are not formally
dedicated. Informal agricultural use assessments are very liberally granted and
continued perpetually without review. The County has no visitation policy other
than the initial inspection of the property. economic feasibility is generally
ignored and no documentation other than the original application is required. I
suggest annual documentation in the form of State excise tax receipts, IRS farm
income schedule, or a written statement from the taxpayer. Additionally,
suggest a new application and inspection of the property upon sale or transfer for
continuance of the agricultural use assessment.
Lastly, please realize real property tax delinquencies increase every year.
The County's collection efforts are an absolute embarrassment. Owners of
delinquent parcels oftentimes will not even receive a bill.
Addressing the real property tax issues that I've illustrated would offer a
logical alternative to increasing the tax rates.