[Vision2020] Rumor on property taxes

Mon May 11 18:14:58 PDT 2009

Personally, I was not aware that business endeavors, such as real estate
development, came with guarantees.
Yes, this is referring to the section of Indian Hills recently developed.
I did not know that if I build it, and they do not come for all of it, I
could pretend I had never changed the use of the real estate.

For instance, last year, we had inches of snow in June. I would expect
property owners would want these streets plowed for Realtors to have access
to show the properties for sale, should we have a similar snowfall. As well
as access for the workers who are already building there. But maybe I
shouldn't make assumptions.
I know someone is paying for the electricity that operates the streetlights
at night, even if a negligible amount. I think it is the taxpayers who cover
that bill.
So Bev, I cannot answer your questions of Why? I have a few myself.

On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 5:55 PM, Bev Bafus <bevbafus at verizon.net> wrote:

>  Question - is this property the newest section of Indian Hills, the one
> that developers just developed within the last year?
>
> If so, why do they think they can "have their cake and eat it, too"?
>
> After going through the process of development, why should they be allowed
> to revert to Ag status for property tax?
>
> Just because the economy is down is no excuse, just my opinion.
>
> Bev
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:
> vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]*On Behalf Of *Lynn McCollough
> *Sent:* Monday, May 11, 2009 2:43 PM
> *To:* vision2020 at moscow.com
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Vision2020 Digest, Vol 35, Issue 41
>
> As suggested, I telephoned the Assessor's office. The original rumor, #1 is
> true!
> For question #2 Can I have my taxes changed to ag, if I grow food, the
> office asked if i primarily sold the food. So I asked if i sold tomatoes at
> the Farmer's Market, and it was my only job, would they change my taxes, to
> this the Office of the Assessor asked me if my land was greater than an
> acre. Alas, my lot is not greater than one acre, but neither is the area in
> question, Indian Hills 6th addition, it is not all contiguous lots, there
> are some sold lots, as well as streets and sidewalks that break apart the
> acreage.
> As for question # 3, The assessor does say they do consider current use,
> not always the current zoning, for determining assessed tax rates.
> The Assessor's Office replied to me that they had not yet decided if they
> would uphold this landowner's request. But they expect they might see an
> appeal if they do not grant it.
>
> To which I replied: "Wow"
>
> "I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization"- Justice Oliver Wendell
> Holmes
> Lynn
>
>
> On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 12:00 PM, <vision2020-request at moscow.com> wrote:
>
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>>   1. A rumor I have heard re. property taxes (Lynn McCollough)
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>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 08:58:53 -0700
>> From: Lynn McCollough <lmccollough at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Vision2020] A rumor I have heard re. property taxes
>> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>> Message-ID:
>>        <c92502e60905110858x2609cd51g37515a0e088a17b9 at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> The rumor is:
>>
>> A local landowner is requesting that property they own (City lots in
>> Moscow)
>> be taxed at the tax rate of ag land, because they have now spread wheat
>> seeds on it.
>>
>> Their lots are zones in a variety of ways: for business use, r-4, r-3,
>> etc.
>> With all utilities, sidewalks, street lights the taxpayers of Moscow
>> operate, storm water drains in, etc. So, three questions.
>>
>> Does anyone know if this is true?
>>
>> Does this mean if I plant wheat grass in my lawn, show historical picture
>> documentation of my tomato plants and the herbs on my deck, etc. that my
>> property (city lot) can pay the rate of ag taxes and not r-1?
>>
>> What is the history of land getting taxed, not as it's current zoning, but
>> as the current use?
>> Thanks for your help with this. We all are looking for ways to tighten our
>> belts around here. This might be a big Yippee!!! for everyone with a
>> garden.
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