HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09222009 - C.34RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a letter from the Chair, Board of Supervisors, to Governor
Schwarzenegger seeking restoration of Open Space Subvention funding for the California
Land Conservation Act, also known as the Williamson Act, in the FY 2010-11 State Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Due to the recent line item veto by the Governor, state subvention funding to local
governments that provides support for Williamson Act programs administered at the local
level have been essentially suspended for the period covering 2009. If the state permanently
suspends or terminates the subvention funding, Contra Costa County stands to lose state
funding that has been used to support the County's Williamson Act Program.
BACKGROUND:
In the days following the approval of FY 2009-10 State Budget, Governor Schwarzenegger
used his blue pencil or line item veto authority to effectively eliminate the Williamson Act
subvention funding to local govements, taking the State Legislature's appropriation of $27.8
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 09/22/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Patrick Roche, (925)
335-1242
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 22, 2009
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C.34
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Legislative Committee
Date:September 22, 2009
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Restoration of Williamson Act Subvention Funding in the FY 2010-11 State Budget
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
million to one thousand dollars.
Enacted in 1965, the Williamson Act is a voluntary program that provides lower property
taxes to agricultural landowners in exchange for their contractual commitment with
participating local governments (cities and counties) to keep their land in agricultural or
open space uses for at least 10 years. In 1971, state funding was provided which created
a formula for allocating subvention payments to local governments based on acreage
enrolled under Williamson Act contracts. This state subvention funding for the
Williamson Act was established to provide an incentive for many local governments to
stay in the program and to encourage enrollment of more agricultural lands into the
program. Statewide nearly one-third of all privately owned land is enrolled in a
Williamson Act contract, and this constitutes 16 million acres or more than one-half of
the state’s 29 million acres of farm and ranchland. Here in Contra Costa County, about
47,000 acres of unincorporated land is enrolled under Williamson Act contracts, and for
2008 the state’s subvention funding payment to the County was $61,000.00.
The action by Governor Schwarzenegger is the first time the subvention funds to local
governments have been suspended since the subventions were statutorily approved 38
years ago. Given the importance of the state subvention funds to maintain Williamson
Act programs across the state, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and
the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC), have formed a coalition with the
California Farm Bureau and other organizations that advocate for preservation of
agricultural/open space lands. This coalition has asked the 54 counties participating in the
Williamson Act program to join with them in seeking the restoration of the subvention
funding in the FY 2010-11 State Budget.
As the Schwarzenegger administration is currently in the process of drafting the FY
2010-11 State Budget, the Williamson Act Coalition is recommending that counties
participating in the Williamson Act program send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger
urging him to restore the Williamson Act subvention funding in the FY 2010-11 State
Budget. It is noted that the Board has previously gone on record in opposition to an
attempt last year by Governor Schwarzenegger to eliminate the state subvention funding
to local governments for the Williamson Act program. Attached for the Board's
consideration is a letter for the Chair's signature urging the Governor to restore the
Williamson Act subvention funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
CSAC has advised that the state is in the process of preparing the FY 2010-11 State
Budget, and that it is vitally important for all counties that are participating in the
Williamson Act program to let the Governor and State Legislature know that restoration
of Williamson Act subvention funding in next fiscal year's budget is necessary to
maintain this program. Consequently, time is of the essence and Contra Costa County's
letter to the Governor should be sent as soon as possible to ensure the Board's views on
this matter are considered by the Governor and local state legislative delegation.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Letter to Gov. Restore WA Subvention Funding