Cut back on conservation tax exemptions?

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Cut back on conservation tax exemptions?

Posted by

Zach Mitcham

in News, Top Stories

Thursday, September 11. 2008

Comments (9)

Board of assessors recommends BOC set minimum acreage on conservation use

Madison County Chief Appraiser James Flynt urged county commissioners Monday to consider setting a minimum acreage requirement for those applying for conservation use status for their land.

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#1 Captain Common Sense on 09/12/08 at 05:04 AM [Reply]

There should be no minimum acreage for conservation use. An organic farm on 2 acres is more "conservation use" than a herd of cows on 500 acres of commercially fertilized fields sprayed with herbicide. Conservation USE - means the use of the land. Spraying chemicals should disqualify land from conservation use, not the acreage.

#1.1 Doug Kirkpatrick on 09/17/08 at 12:14 PM [Reply]

I've been in the field of property taxation for twenty years. I know the author of the conservation use legislation and talked to him last week. The purpose of the legislation was stated in H.B. 283 (1991). It was designed for the purpose of "conservation use for agricultural and forest land"; USE being the operative word. The legislation is aimed at conserving the agricultural and forest USE of Georgia's rural property. It was designed to keep owners of large, rural properties from being forced by a massive tax burden to sell their property to someone who wants to change its use (like developers). It was not aimed at protecting property from environmental impacts of modern agricultural methods.

Secondly, setting a minimum acreage breakpoint simply raises the qualification bar higher for properties under the minimum size. If Madison County is attempting to deny applications simply because of size, this would not be in keeping with Georgia Law. Rather, setting this minimum acreage will allow the tax assessors to require proof that property is being used in good-faith agricultural production verses simply taking the owners word that the current use of the property is agricultural, unless the contrary is prima facie evident.

Lastly, let me say that people rarely understand that exemptions from property taxation are different from exemptions from all other forms of taxation. If someone gets an exemption from sales or income taxes, the government gets less money. If someone is given an exemption from property taxation, the government gets the same amount of money, as all of the other taxpayers in the county get to make up the difference. In other words, when your neighbor pays less because of an exemption, you get to pay the difference.

#1.1.1 Farmer on 09/17/08 at 05:17 PM [Reply]

Shouldn't PROOF of conservation use be required regardless of the size of the parcel?

Why require PROOF from some property owners, but not others?

#1.1.1.1 Doug Kirkpatrick on 09/22/08 at 11:07 AM [Reply]

Farmer,

Good question and one better asked of the people passing these laws. The author of this legislation now wants foreign corporations to be able to qualify for the exemption as well. Good idea, huh?

As for not being taxed out of your property, the current homestead exemption amount hasn't increased since 1937 and these same lawmakers have not cared a whit if I am being taxed out of my property, but I'm not a large land-owning constituent or corporation that has been wining and dining these members of the legislature.

Lastly let me say again, vote your neighbor all the tax exemptions that you can afford. Because you are the one who will get the bill.

#2 Dan R. Gordon II on 09/12/08 at 07:32 AM [Reply]

Oh Boy! This is a hot topic for me....
If people in this county only knew how many acres in Madison County are in this conservation program. I have personally checked on these figures and there are thousands of acres.
Now, these "farmers" are signing up for this program, which eliminates their tax bill for their land, just about. But, you know what,?these "farmers" are the same people lobbying our commissioners for no subdivisions, no growth, no businesses.....
The property owners on small parcels are taking the bunt of the tax burden in this county from what I have noticed.
So, when the mill rate increases to over 30, thank your friendly neighbor that "farms" as a hobby (side business) and your county commissioner for all that they do in Madison County.

#3 Beth on 09/13/08 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

Solution is simple. Govt. needs to stop providing all these uneccessary "services" - dog catcher, trying to pave dirt roads (leave 'em alone), paying guys to ride around on tractors and cut grass on the side of the road, rec. dept., ball fields, tennis courts, etc.

#3.1 MARTY on 09/17/08 at 01:25 PM [Reply]

What right do you have to deem these services unecessary? Have you ever had a child tortured by a stray dog? I am guessing no. In addition, I am guessing none of your children have ever used the rec dept, ball fields, tennis courts and etc... These items bring home-owning, tax-paying citizens to our community. As for the grass cutting, I suppose you like living in a community that looks trashy and unkept. As far as I am concerned, the only legitimate arguement you have is leaving the dirt roads un-paved!

#3.1.1 Luke on 09/18/08 at 06:20 PM [Reply]

You use the rec park, YOU should pay for the rec park. Your kids use the rec park, YOU should pay for the rec park. Your kids use the school? YOU should pay for the school. You want a dog catcher? YOU should pay for the dog catcher. Those of us who are more responsible should not have to pay for the LIFESTYLES of people filling up the schools and wanting to play ball all hours of the day and night. I see kids playing ball at 9-10 at night. No wonder Madison County has a terrible graduation rate and half our kids drop out or don't go to college...they aren't doing their schoolwork, they're PLAYING BALL. Any parent worth a hoot wouldn't allow their kid to be playing ball at night when they should be doing homework, eating dinner and getting a good night's sleep. People like you who thing the govt. should do everything for them: teach their kids, provide ball parks, catch the dog you aren't man enough to handle, etc. : are the PROBLEM with this county.

#4 Anonymous on 09/18/08 at 06:50 AM [Reply]

I would like to know how county services are affiliated with the conservation program. This program allows people farming their land to receive a lower tax rate per acre than someone that is not in the program. Of course a 10 year contract is involved as well.
Our commissioners should look at placing a minimum on acreage in our county. People we need to take a stand on this program because we are losing millions, yes I said millions, of dollars each year to this program.
The bills of this county are not decreasing they are staying the same or rather inflating.
When you have a portion roughly 1/4-1/2 of the people in this county in this program, who do you think pays the bills? The ones not in the program.
The state law is somewhat broad to what can enter the program, but last year, they did say that each county, with the BOC's permission, can in fact place a minimum acreage rule on these parcels.
If you are a valid farmer and you receive the majority of your income from your farm, I completely commend you for doing what you want to do with your land to feed your family. But, those that are working full time jobs elsewhere
and have a 10 acre tract with a few squirrels jumping around should not be in the program.
People, you are placing the blame in the wrong direction, you need to look at the overall picture and decide what is really important.

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