in. Atkins uses the “with risk factor” figures because

in. Atkins uses the “with risk factor” figures because otherwise she would have to separately evaluate damage incurred by each property.

Statewide, woodlots in 1997 were valued at a flat $300 per acre; for 1998, the value increases to $365-520 per acre in a “fair to good” range. Open land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, such as pastures, crops, orchards and vineyards, is valued based on its soil type.

Soils throughout the state are classified I through VII. Class I is the highest quality for agricultural purposes. Atkins and her staff use USDA Farm Services Agency aerial photographs and county soil maps to determine the proper assessment rate for each acre in each parcel. The county has no Class I soils so only types II through VII apply.

Class II assessments, with risk factors included, were $700 per acre in 1997. Class III was $500. Class IV was $400, and Classes V, VI, and VII were each $300 per acre. For 1998, the assessments increased across the board by roughly $20-$30 per acre.

In all cases, the assessments are lower than the fair market value of the acreage, thereby reducing the farmer’s overall tax burden. However, in analyzing the impact of the program, consideration must be given to real estate market implications.

Take, for example, a one acre property with a house, assessed using a fair market value of $100,000. That property owner pays a three cents per $100 of assessed value ffire Levy on the entire $100,000, plus 80 cents per $100 of assessed value real estate tax. That comes to $30 for the Fire Levy and $800 for the real estate tax, or a total of $830.

A 100 acre property under the Land Use Law would be treated very differently. First of all, land use assessments apply exclusively to land. That means the entire acre that the house sits on, the house, any tenant houses, garages, storage sheds, and all agricultural buildings, such as barns, loaf