[Vision2020] Rumor on property taxes
Bill London
london at moscow.com
Tue May 12 09:30:09 PDT 2009
I appreciate learning of this tax situation and would really like you to let us all know what continues to happen with this....
BL
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynn McCollough
To: Bev Bafus
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Rumor on property taxes
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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Today's Topics:
1. A rumor I have heard re. property taxes (Lynn McCollough)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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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