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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support to the Honorable Governor Schwarzenegger in regard to the Williamson Act subvention funding in the Governor's May Revision of the State Budget.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No change to net county cost.
Background: The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, otherwise known as the "Williamson Act" allows landowners to contract with counties to preserve their properties as farmland and open space. The Williamson Act subvention program enacted in 1971 sets a state reimbursement formula for allocating payments to local governments based on acreage enrolled in the program. The subventions help replace the foregone property tax revenue due to county participation.
El Dorado County currently has 32,865 acres under Williamson Act contract. The FY 2009-10 El Dorado County Budget anticipated $41,874 in Williamson Act subvention funds.
Upon the adoption of the 2009-10 State Budget, the Governor exercised line-item veto authority to reduce the total Williamson Act subvention statewide to a mere $1,000.
Reason for Recommendation: The California State Association of Counties, in conjunction with the Regional Council of Rural Counties and other partners in the agricultural and the environmental community, has initiated a strong advocacy campaign to save the subvention funding for the Williamson Act. CSAC has requested letters of support from counties receiving Williamson Act subvention funding.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Upon signature of the Board Chair, Board Clerk will send letter to the Governor.
Contact: Mike Applegarth (5123)