Chapter 3.36
CONSERVATION DISTRICT ASSESSMENT
Sections:
3.36.010 Purpose and need for assessment.
3.36.040 Lien against property.
3.36.010 Purpose and need for assessment.
The San Juan County conservation district is organized under Chapter 89.08 RCW to protect, restore and conserve the natural resources of San Juan County by:
A. Conducting surveys, investigations, and research relating to the conservation of renewable natural resources;
B. Conducting educational and demonstrational projects on any lands within the district upon obtaining the consent of the occupier of such lands;
C. Carrying out preventive and control measures and works of improvement for the conservation of renewable resources within the district, upon obtaining the consent of the occupier of any such lands;
D. Cooperating or entering into agreements with and to furnish financial or any other aid to any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any occupier of lands within the district;
E. Making available, on such terms as it shall prescribe, to land occupiers within the district, agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, fertilizer, seeds, and seedlings to assist in conservation of renewable resources; and
F. Administering any project or program concerned with the conservation of renewable natural resources located within its boundaries undertaken by any federal, state, or other public agency. (Ord. 10-2005 § 1)
3.36.020 Land classification.
The San Juan Islands conservation district board of supervisors has classified land in San Juan County into four categories pursuant to the requirements outlined in RCW 89.08.400. One category has been determined to benefit from activities of the conservation district. The four categories are:
A. Category 1. Forest land used solely for the planting, growing or harvesting of trees;
B. Category 2. Land owned by the federal government or tribal nations;
C. Category 3. Tax-exempt land; and
D. Category 4. Nonforest land not falling into category 2 or 3.
All land in category 4 located within the boundaries of the conservation district is deemed to be benefited land. The County council shall adopt by resolution a land use classification chart which sets out the classifications adopted by the San Juan Islands conservation district board of supervisors and the total amount of special assessments proposed to be obtained from the classification of land. (Ord. 23-2008 § 2; Ord. 10-2005 § 2)
3.36.030 Rate system.
A. The San Juan Islands conservation district hereby requests that the San Juan County council implement a rate system of rates and charges, for all classified parcels within the district’s boundaries, as follows:
|
Land Use Category |
Calculated Rates |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Per Parcel |
Per Acre |
|
|
Residential |
$5.0000 |
$0.1000 |
|
Commercial |
$5.0000 |
$0.0900 |
|
Agriculture |
$5.0000 |
$0.1000 |
|
Institutional/Public |
$5.0000 |
$0.0900 |
|
Vacant/Undeveloped |
$5.0000 |
$0.0900 |
|
Open Space |
$5.0000 |
$0.1000 |
|
Designated Forest Land |
$3.0000 |
$0.0100 |
B. All those landowners qualifying as low income senior citizens shall be exempt from this section.
C. All those lands with assessed values of less than $500.00 shall be exempt from this section.
D. The County treasurer pursuant to RCW 89.08.405(6) shall deduct one percent from the collected rates and charges to cover the costs incurred by the County assessor and County treasurer in spreading and collecting the rates and charges, and such deduction shall not exceed the total cost of such work. (Ord. 13-2019 §§ 1 – 3, 6; Ord. 10-2005 § 3)
3.36.040 Lien against property.
The amount of such assessment shall constitute a lien against any property for which the assessment has not been paid by the date it is due, as provided in RCW 89.08.400. The County treasurer shall collect the unpaid assessment in the same manner as delinquent real property taxes, subject to the same interest rate and penalty as for delinquent property taxes. (Ord. 10-2005 § 4)
3.36.050 Special fund.
All taxes collected from the assessment herein levied shall be deposited in a special fund in the treasury of San Juan County known as the San Juan County conservation district fund, along with all other funds which the San Juan County conservation district is authorized to receive. Interest earned from investments of this fund shall remain with the fund. This fund shall only be used to support the activities of the San Juan County conservation district. (Ord. 10-2005 § 5)
3.36.060 Effective date.
The rates in SJCC 3.36.030 are to be charged beginning in January 2020 and the approved rates continue for a period of 10 years, unless modified by a request of the San Juan Islands district board of supervisors and by action of the San Juan County council during the effective period. (Ord. 13-2019 § 4; Ord. 23-2010; Ord. 10-2005 § 6)