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deferred taxes plus interest. The rollback period extends for the previous five years. If Mr. Smith has been in a use 'Vttlwr Matafimr program -4br six years, the deferred taxes from the first year are “forgiven,” that is striken from the tax books.
Marshall emphasized that use value taxation applies only to land, not to any structures or buildings. A farm’s main dwelling, the lot the main dwelling sits on, tenant houses, bams and any other structures are assessed at fair market value.
The extension specialist noted that there are no restraints on selling property in a use value program. “The land use tax runs with the land, not with the owner,” he said. He also noted that the use of property in the program may be changed “any day the owner chooses.
Not Effective
“Research study after research study after research study has shown that use value taxation taken alone in an effort to retain agricultural or forest land has not been a successful policy,” Marshall stated.
Asked if a county interested in preserving farm land should adopt land use, he suggested a careful examination first for agricultural districts which require the landowner to make a commitment in return for preferential tax treatment.
(While property owners in a use value program may pull out at any time, property owners in an agricultural and forestal district must contract with the county for a (specified period—between jfour and six years—in order to be eligible for land use assessments. All other criteria, including minimum parcel size, history in agricultural production and forestal significance also apply in ag districts. In addition, rollback taxes become due for the same five year period if property in an ag district is changed to a non-qualifying use.)
According to Marshall, land use taxation was originally intended as a tool to preserve agricultural, forestal and open space land in urbanizing areas. It spread to rural counties as the result of tax shifts arising from the state’s requirement for 100 percent fair market value assessments. Many rural counties were underassessed but with houses and lots valued nearer the 100 percent mark than land, Marshall
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