Property owners have one last chance to hear and speak on a proposed tax to help fund natural resource conservation in the county.
On Saturday, Oct. 21 the Clark Conservation District is hosting the last of a series of community meetings at the Firstenburg Community Center focused on a proposal to institute a property tax that would generate about $800,000 annually, a district news release stated.
The proposed rate is $5 per parcel and 10 cents per acre per parcel. State law allows for the increase in all but the most populated counties, with the $5 per parcel being the maximum allowed.
In the past the district has utilized state grants to fund itself, but the applicable funding pool has been slashed in recent years, dropping from $25 million to $2.7 million, according to the release. What’s more, changes in criteria have made it impossible to use the funds for services for the majority of county residents, and the district could lose the source altogether next year.
“Clark CD's mission is to work with local landowners and residents to help them better conserve and protect the county's natural resources,” the release stated. “Clark CD provides technical assistance, conservation planning and classes on many issues and problems including erosion control, pesticide runoff prevention, stormwater and flooding, soil health and habitat conservation.”
The release noted that Clark Conservation District was one of the few special-purpose districts allowed to use public money on private property, in an effort to help property owners better manage their parcels.
Thirteen other conservation districts in the state have similar systems in place, the release stated. Based on the more than 160,000 parcels where the new tax would apply about $800,000 would be collected for the district.
All parcels in the county regardless of municipality will be affected, with some exceptions, the release stated. Ridgefield, Yacolt and La Center each have small portions of land exempt from the district tax, as well as some parts of Camas and Washougal.
The district has previously hosted similar meetings in Battle Ground, La Center and Camas as well as Vancouver.
