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County won't honor farm tax break By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Jackson County has decided it won't allow landowners to take advantage of a state program that could lower or eliminate taxes on certain types of farmland. The county won't participate in the state wildlife conservation tax exemption, which has the power to financially devastate Jackson County, officials say. The exemption was approved by the 2001 Legislature to secure wildlife habitat in Eastern Oregon. It allows farmers to create habitat on farmland with "marginal" or poor soil while getting a partial or complete break on their property taxes. County officials estimate that a vast majority of rural property here would qualify for the program. County Administrator Sue Slack said that allowing the exemption could cause a significant loss of revenue for the county and other taxing districts. "(The exemption) works well" in some places, said Jackson County Assessor Dan Ross. "It has a potential for catastrophe (in Jackson County)." Started as pilot program in 1997 in Polk County, the exemption applies to property owners with land zoned for exclusive farm use or mixed farm and forest use. It was meant to ease pressure on farmers who were being asked by the state to create wildlife conservation on prime farm lands, according to Polk County appraiser Shawn Beaton. The exemption is used by 23 landowners in Polk County. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluates each applicant's land before the exemption is approved. Mark Vargas, an ODFW wildlife biologist in Medford, said a handful of area residents have tried to apply for the exemption in Jackson County in the last few years. Vargas said the county turned down those requests. "They just said 'nope,' the county's not participating," he added. Ross said it's unclear how many of the county's 65,000 tax lots would qualify for the exemption. "A lot of the property could go off the tax rolls or at least be reduced," he said. "It could have a devastating effect." The exemption was created by House Bill 3564. It goes into effect across Oregon in 2003 unless counties vote against it before then."We have to oppose it or we automatically impose it," Commissioner Jack Walker said. Commissioner Sue Kupillas said she was displeased with the state's requirement that commissioners vote on the exemption. "It's a real back-door way of doing it. It's not something I agree with," she said. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.