Small Town News

Agric. property tax law changes to be mailed to property owners

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Nearly 3,500 Stearns County property owners will be receiving information in the mail next week regarding changes to the Green Acres program.

A property tax bill, signed into law April 3, 2009, changed certain conditions of the Minnesota Agricultural Property Tax Law, known as Green Acres. These revisions retained the 2b land classification for rural land that is not used for agricultural production, redefined the payback requirements, readdressed the treatment of conservation land, and created a new Rural Preserve program for qualifying 2b land to be registered. The law also gave property owners enrolled in Green Acres more time to consider other options and decide if they want to remove their 2b land from the program without having to repay deferred taxes.

In an effort to explain these changes and address the new procedures that must be administered, the Stearns County Assessor's Office is mailing letters Jan. 4 to all Green Acres enrollees. This letter will include a summary of the law changes and a one-page form, "Notification for Property Enrolled in Green Acres," that needs to be completed. Property owners are encouraged to carefully read this material because important decisions regarding their on-going enrollment in the Green Acres program must be made by May 1, 2010. If the property owner does not notify the county assessor by this date, there will not be any changes to their Green Acres enrollment. However, beginning with the 2013 assessment, any grandfathered 2b land that is a part of their property will be withdrawn and three years of deferred taxes collected unless this land is enrolled in the Rural Preserve program.

The Stearns County Assessor's Office will be holding eight informational meetings throughout the county during the week of Jan. 25 to discuss changes in the Green Acres program. Staff members will offer a short presentation and be available to address questions and concerns. The dates, times, and locations of these meetings are:

Monday, Jan. 25, Paynesville Senior Center 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, Rockville City Hall 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 27, Stearns County Service Center 2 p.m. Waite Park, MN

Wednesday, Jan. 27, Stearns County Service Center 6:30 p.m. Waite Park, MN

* Located one-half mile west of Mill's Fleet Farm on County Road 138

In case of inclement weather, an announcement regarding the postponement of a meeting will be publicized on local radio stations and on the Stearns County Web site, <www.co.stearns.mn.us>.

Aerial maps, program information, and instructions will be available on the Stearns County Web site to assist property owners in completing their notification form. To utilize these resources, go to <www.co.steams.mn.us/1503.htm>.

Questions can be directed to the Stearns County Assessor's Office at (320) 656-3680.



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© 2010 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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