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the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council (SLE AC) were going up very little.
Commissioner of the Revenue Beverly Atkins explained that these values are based on the ability of the land to produce crops and the value of those crops. Current use values range from $250 to $690 per acre.
Jackson District representative Ellis Bingham said, “Basically there is no change in land use figures, and everyone else who owns land has a 115 percent increase. If we’re going to do that, we have to raise the base rate figures by 115 percent.”
County Administrator John McCarthy noted that Ms. Atkins is the one who sets land use values.
“But we can make recommendations,” Col. Bingham replied.
Mr. McCarthy said, “The closer we stick to SLEAC values the more easily defensible our position is.”
“I’m responsible,” Ms. Atkins said. “If I can’t prove the land produces more, I can’t 'justify itr.”
“It would show our good faith as a governing body to bring equity,” Col. Bingham said. “Another option is to go out of land use. ”
“You’re right,” Mr. McCarthy said. He noted that those in the land use program might refrain from challenging higher values because of the threat that the program would be discontinued. “We need to make it as politically palatable as we can,” he added.
See ASSESS, p.A-7
90.9%