HomeMy WebLinkAbout060 18 f5e504(
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'ickj' JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF APPROVING A }
SYSTEM OF RATES AND CHARGES } RESOLUTION NO. 60 -18
ON PARCELS WITHIN THE JEFFERSON}
COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT }
PROVIDING REVENUES TO THE }
DISTRICT FOR SERVICES BENEFITING }
PROPERTIES THEREIN }
WHEREAS, RCW 89.08.405 authorizes a system of rates and charges proposed
by a conservation district and approved by the county legislative authority, to provide
revenue for the conservation district to fund services benefiting properties within the
conservation district; and
WHEREAS, the system of rates and charges authorized by RCW 89.08.405 may
include an annual per parcel amount plus an annual per acre amount for a period of up to
ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD) Board of
Supervisors contracted with the FCS Group to conduct a rate study of rates to recover the
cost of JCCD programs and services furnished or available to landowners and properties
within the District; and
WHEREAS, the JCCD Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing on July 23,
2018 to solicit public comment on the consideration, development, adoption, and
implementation of a system of rates and charges, which Hearing had prior Public Notice
in accordance with RCW 89.08.400(2); and
WHEREAS, the JCCD Board of Supervisors continued deliberations and action
at a Special Meeting on July 30, 2018, and at its Regular Meeting on August 1, 2018; and
at its meeting on August 1, 2018, the JCCD Board of Supervisors approved Resolution
2018-021 proposing a system of rates and charges including an annual per parcel and
annual per acre rate schedule for calendar years 2019 through 2028, and a budget for
2019; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2018, the JCCD Board of Supervisors filed with the
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Resolution 2018-021 proposing a system of
rates and charges including an annual per parcel and annual per acre rate schedule for
calendar years 2019 through 2028, and a budget for 2019; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2018, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Hearing Notice for holding a Public Hearing on November 26, 2018 on the
Conservation District's proposed system of rates and charges as well as revisions to that
system proposed by Jefferson County, which Hearing Notice was posted in at least 5
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conspicuous locations within the Conservation District boundaries and published in the
official newspaper on October 24, November 14 and 21 pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2),
and provided notice to state agencies with lands proposed to be assessed at least thirty
days prior to the public hearing,pursuant to RCW 79.44.040; and
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2018, the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners held a Public Hearing on the Conservation District's proposed system of
rates and charges as well as revisions to that system proposed by Jefferson County; and
WHEREAS, after deliberating on the hearing record, including oral and written
testimony, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners determined it was in the public
interest to modify and accept the proposed system of rates and charges;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners, that
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS. The Jefferson County Board
of Commissioners hereby makes and enters the following findings and determinations:
1.1. The Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD) is a governmental subdivision of the
State of Washington and a public body corporate and politic, created in Jefferson County (the
"County") and operating since 1946. As a requirement for District formation, the State
Conservation Commission found that "the public health, safety, and welfare warrant the
creation" of JCCD. RCW 89.08.080. In addition, the Legislature made express findings relating
to conservation districts, stating that "the preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and
promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its people" and that"it is hereby declared to be
the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of the renewable resources of the
state...and thereby...to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people
of the state."
1.2 JCCD programs are designed to help private land managers protect natural resources as
they make a living from their land. JCCD works directly with private landowners who have
direct control over management activities on their lands, for the benefit of those properties and
the land and waters of JCCD.
1.3 Pursuant to chapter 89.08 RCW, JCCD is responsible for and authorized to carry out
Conservation Projects within JCCD, including but not limited to:
1.3.1 Maintain existing agricultural activities where possible to preserve local farmland,
support local agricultural producers, and promote greater food security for Jefferson County
residents.
1.3.2 Establish conservation easements to protect high-quality wildlife habitat and key
properties which support JCCD's resource conservation mission; implement appropriate habitat
restoration or enhancement projects.
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1.3.3 Cooperative activities to restore high-quality habitat including personal site visits
with landowners; development of best management practices plans; recommendations for
invasive/non-native weed eradication; project coordination and implementation (e.g. stream
planting, securing necessary permits for land manager maintenance of riparian areas, and fish
passage barrier removal.)
1.3.4 Assist with projects at the request of partners (Washington State University
Extension, North Olympic Salmon Coalition and other Non-Government Organizations,
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Ecology,
Washington State Department of Commerce, School Districts, and Jefferson County agencies) to
help them meet their objectives.
1.3.5 Provide District-wide watershed health improvement by conducting water quality
monitoring in concert with Jefferson County lead agencies; developing sampling protocol and
methodology; identifying high risk properties and appropriate volunteer programs to address
resource concerns; train and coordinate citizen water quality monitoring and fish count
volunteers on streams and lakes of the County; maintain water quality monitoring equipment and
supplies; manage and analyze water quality data, and; synthesize water quality and fish data into
watershed health reports that provide a framework for effective allocation of resources toward
prioritized resource concerns.
1.3.6 Conserving and protecting high quality agricultural soils by providing landowner
education, development of best management practices plans and cost-share programs to help
livestock owners comply with County regulations, thereby offsetting the cost and burden of
addressing resource concerns; act as hub for county-wide partnership of individuals,
organizations and government agencies to support the local agricultural economy; provide
technical assistance and funding opportunities which retain high quality agricultural soils
through prevention of land conversion to residential or commercial land use and provide
resources to help keep farmers on the land thereby creating a greater food security for County
residents.
1.3.7 Provide educational opportunities for area school children and the adult public to
learn about the importance of conservation and restoration of natural resources for the working
waterfront, shellfish, aquatic health, food, water quality, slope stabilization, and habitat.
1.4 Provide County regulatory agencies with a voluntary compliance option as a cost-
effective means of gaining Critical Area Ordinance compliance.
1.5 Assist the Port of Port Townsend when requested in meeting National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System Permit requirements.
1.6 Certain properties within the District receive direct and/or indirect benefit from the
carrying out of Conservation Projects. Direct benefits are those benefits arising out of
Conservation Projects conducted on property that benefits such property. Indirect benefits are
those benefits received by downstream or adjacent parcels and by the general public through
improved ecosystem functions and services. (A livestock operator would benefit directly from a
JCCD cost-share program that provided fencing from riparian areas whereas a commercial or
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recreational shellfish harvester would benefit indirectly from that cost-share program by the
elimination of ruminant fecal coliforms from the stream that drains to shellfish beds).
1.7 It is appropriate for property owners within the District that benefit either directly or
indirectly or both from the Conservation Projects to pay for the cost of carrying out JCCD's
Conservation Projects.
1.8 JCCD engaged FCS Group ("FCS"), an independent financial consulting firm that
provides economic, public finance, management consulting, and financial (rates, charges, and
fees) services to public sector entities throughout the country, including city and county
governments, utilities, municipal corporations and ports, special purpose districts, and state
agencies. FCS has evaluated the services provided by JCCD and has developed a rate structure,
as part of the Jefferson County Conservation District Draft Rate Study (FCS Group, 2018), that
allocates the costs of JCCD services to classes of property.
1.9 JCCD proposes the rate schedule herein, in part, to: save JCCD resources and costs of
consultants associated with adopting a rate schedule after five years and apply such savings to
JCCD programing; provide rate stability for private land owners; and demonstrate to community
partners and others providing support for JCCD programs that JCCD will continue to have
reliable revenue sources for the next 10 years.
1.10 In determining a rate structure, the JCCD Board considered the discretionary factors set
forth by the Legislature in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012 and Chapter 88, Laws of 2015, including:
1.10.1 Services furnished, to be furnished, or available to landowners in the District;
1.10.2 Benefits received, or to received, or available to property in the District;
1.10.3 The character and use of land in the District;
1.10.4 The nonprofit public benefit status of land users in the District;
1.10.5 The income level of persons served or provided benefits, including senior citizens
and disabled persons; and
1.10.6 Other matters that present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction
among properties, including the natural resources needs within the District and the capacity of
JCCD to provide either services or improvements, or both.
1.11 The JCCD Board found that eight classes or categories of property are appropriate:
residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional/public, vacant/undeveloped, open space,
forested and resource designated forest land. There is a rational basis for distinguishing land
within the District into classes on the basis of property use and the variation of properties within
these classes is found to reflect differences in services and/or benefits received, to be received or
available from the Conservation Projects.
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1.12 The JCCD Board found that it is appropriate to assign factors to each class of property
that reflect distinctions among those properties relating to the services and/or benefits received,
to be received or available from JCCD. These factors include (1) services and/or benefits
received, to be received or available that are insignificant or immeasurable to certain property;
(2) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available to classes of property to a lesser
degree; and, (3) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available that more fully
support property (compared to other classes of property). There is a rational basis for
distinguishing services/benefits received or available from JCCD services and Conservation
Projects with the use of such factors and the variation of services/benefits within these factors is
found to be minor and to reflect only minor differences in services benefit received or available
from the Conservation Projects.
1.13 The administrative cost of calculating the charge for each individual property and
maintaining accurate information would be very high. Therefore, a flat charge per parcel and
acre within each property class is less costly to administer than calculating a separate charge for
each parcel and acreage because of the similarities of the characteristics and uses within each
property class.
1.14 The rates proposed to the County by JCCD were calculated within the parameters of a
rate model from the FCS Rate Study. Under the rate model, the estimated annual costs of JCCD
services were allocated to ratepayers as follows:
1.14.1 number of parcels in each of the property categories;
1.14.2 direct and indirect services/benefits received by or available to property within
each property category, as generally described in this Resolution; and
1.14.3 a factor reflecting the degree of services/benefits received by or available to each
property class for each Conservation Project as described in Section 1.10, above.
1.15 The rates proposed herein include rates per parcel and rates per acre per year for eight
land use categories over the next 10 years. Such rates do not exceed the maximum rates
permitted under Chapter 88, Laws of 2015. These rates are an allocable share of the costs of
services/benefits received or available to the property owners in the District from JCCD services,
programs and Conservation Projects, all for the preservation of natural resources, protection of
public lands and waters, and protection and promotion of the health, safety and general welfare
of the lands and people of the District.
1.16 The rates proposed herein to pay the costs of carrying out the Conservation Projects are
fees for which the federal government is liable under the Clean Water Act to the same extent as
any other classification of land. 33 U.S.C. § 1323(a), and Pub.L. 111-378, § 1, 124 Stat.
4128 (2011). However, the County determines that Olympic National Park and the extensive
federal forests and other federal resource lands within the County contribute substantially to the
conservation of natural resources and are thereby excluded from the system of rates
recommended by this Resolution.
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1.17 Should JCCD and County agree that the cost to administer the Rate System regarding
certain parcels does not appear warranted (cost to administer to be in excess of likely revenues
under formula set out in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012) there may therefore be a reasonable basis to
exempt certain parcels from the rates proposed herein.
1.18 The consideration, development, adoption and implementation of the rates proposed
herein follows a public hearing held on November 26, 2018, by the Board of County
Commissioners pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2),public notice of which was properly provided by
postings throughout the District and through publication, and provided by mail to state agencies
pursuant to RCW 79.44.040.
1.19 The "Whereas" statements above are hereby adopted as findings.
SECTION 2. SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES. A system of rates and
charges to provide revenue to the Jefferson County Conservation District, including an annual
per parcel and an annual per acre rate schedule for calendar years 2019 through 2028 for parcels
lying within the boundaries of the Jefferson County Conservation District, as those boundaries
currently exist or may subsequently be amended, is hereby approved as described in EXHIBIT 1
attached hereto and incorporated herein, with exemptions also as described in EXHIBIT 1.
SECTION 3. PREPARATION OF RATES AND CHARGES ROLL. Pursuant to
RCW 89.08.405, the conservation district shall prepare a roll that implements the system of rates
and charges approved by this Resolution. The rates and charges from the roll shall be spread by
the county assessor as a separate item on the tax rolls and shall be collected and accounted for
with property taxes by the county treasurer.
SECTION 4. LIEN. The amount of the rates and charges shall constitute a lien against
the land that shall be subject to the same conditions as a tax lien, and collected by the treasurer in
the same manner as delinquent real property taxes, and subject to the same interest and penalty
as for delinquent property taxes.
SECTION 5. COUNTY TREASURER. Pursuant to RCW 89.08.405(6) the county
treasurer shall deduct 1% 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 actual costs of such work.
SECTION 6. LANDOWNER APPEALS. In adopting a system of rates and charges,
and in the JCCD's subsequent preparation of the rates and charges roll, the Jefferson County
Board of Commissioners recognize that RCW 89.08.405(5) requires the JCCD Board of
Supervisors to establish by resolution a process providing for landowner appeals of the
individual rates and charges as applicable to a parcel or parcels, and that the decision of the
JCCD Board of Supervisors regarding any appeal shall be final and conclusive. The County
Assessor and County Treasurer shall be responsible for implementing the Board of Supervisors'
decision on the appeal,provided however that reclassification of land use codes and correction of
the area of a parcel must be approved and implemented by the Jefferson County Assessor's
Office.
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SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED this 2e Y`day of 4,16U(1•*1 r , 2018.
cou" Y ,; JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOA' S 1F C• ISSIONERS
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- A C� .� u ` Davis u .1 , `air
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Kate Dean, Member
ATTEST: --e_aZke.a.z.,
'
ezik L �� a�� ` Kathleen Kler, Member
Caroly Gallaway,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
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EXHIBIT 1:
SYSTEM OF RATES AND CHARGES
FOR YEARS 2019-2028 FOR PARCELS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Land Classification & Rate
The following parcel land use categories and rates shall be applied for 2019—2028 to assess a
fee for the Jefferson County Conservation District:
LAND USE CATEGORY PARCEL RATE PER ACRE RATE
1-Recreation $5.00 $0.10
2-Commercial; $4.98 $0.08
3-Agriculture; $4.99 $0.10
4-Institutional/Public; $4.98 $0.08
5-Vacant/Undeveloped; $4.98 $0.08
6-Open Space; $4.99 $0.08
7-Forested; $4.99 $0.08
8-Timberland (DFL/OST/DNR) $2.99 $0.01
For 8-Timberland, only one parcel rate/unique landowner plus an aggregated per acre charge of
.01/acre not to exceed $100/landowner (10,000 acres max. by statute) will be charged.
For per acre charges, acreage shall be determined from rounding up to the next whole acre for
each parcel (minimum of 1 acre).
Exemptions: Lands not subject to the Conservation District Assessment. The following lands
are exempt from the rates and charges:
• All parcels not within the boundaries of the Jefferson County Conservation District,
which presently excludes parcels within the incorporated limits of the City of Port
Townsend.
• Federal and Tribal Trust lands.
• State and County roads and rights of way.
• Mineral rights.
• Standalone tideland parcels and/or tideland acreage.
• Standalone water parcels and/or water acreage.
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• Common areas and open space as separate parcels where the land is assessed through
other parcels (acreage may be distributed to the other parcels for calculating the
Conservation District fees).
• Private roads as separate parcels where the land is assessed through other parcels
(acreage may be distributed to the other parcels for calculating the Conservation District
fees).
• Taxable parcels where the fair market value is identified as$500 or less.
• Taxable parcels where the cost to administer the rate system exceeds revenues.
• Improvements Only parcels (no direct land component).
• Individuals who are enrolled in the Senior/Disabled Exemption tax program.
If a portion of a real property parcel does not satisfy any exemption criteria specified in this
section,then the parcel shall be subject to said fee.
Comparison with Conservation District's Proposal
The system of rates and charges adopted herein is shown side by side with the Conservation
District's original proposal, on the next page.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Philip Morley, County Administrator
DATE: November 26, 2018
RE: Public Hearing on System of Rates and Charges for Jefferson County Conservation
District
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 26,
2018 at 10:45 a.m. in the Commissioners' Chambers regarding a proposed system of rates and
charges to help finance the activities of the Jefferson County Conservation District, and will
consider approving a resolution fixing rates and charges to provide revenues to the Conservation
District.
ANALYSIS: State statute, RCW 89.08.405 and RCW 89.08.400(2), allows a county legislative
authority to approve revenues to a conservation district by fixing rates and charges, after
considering a system of rates and charges proposed by the conservation district's board of
supervisors.
On August 1, 2018, the Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD) Board of Supervisors filed
with the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners a proposed system of rates and charges as
authorized by RCW 89.08.405 for ten years (2019 through 2028)to help finance the activities of
the Conservation District, and a proposed JCCD budget for 2019. In that filing, the Conservation
District included Jefferson County Conservation District Resolution No. 2018-023 (see
ATTACHMENT 1), as well as the Jefferson County Conservation District Rate Study Report: Final
Report July 31, 2018 prepared by the FCS Group.
The Conservation District's proposed system of rates and charges included an annual per parcel
rate plus an annual per acre rate as authorized by RCW 89.08.405 for ten years (2019 through
2028), as displayed in Figure 5 from the Rate Study, shown below:
1
Figure 5. Rates Schedule and Revenue Calculation
Rates to be Charged and Revenue Calculation
Maximum Allowable Rates Per Parte! Per Ave
All Other Land Uses Max $ 5.0000 $ 0.1000
Designated Forest Land Max $ 3.0000 $ 0.0091
Land Use Cate Calculated Rates No of Charge Units Calculated Revenues
gory Per Parcel Per Ave No of Parcels No of Acres Parcel Charge Acreage Charge TOTAL
1 Residential $ 5.0000 $ 0.1000 12,740 26,060 $ 63,700 $ 2,606 $ 66,306
2 Commercial $ 4.9800 $ 0.0800 494 1,709 $ 2,460 $ 137 $ 2,597
3 Agriculture $ 4.9900 $ 0.1000 330 6,657 $ 1,647 $ 666 $ 2,312
4 Institutional/Public $ 4.9800 $ 0.0800 143 890 $ 712 $ 71 $ 783
5 Vacant/Undeveloped $ 4.9800 $ 0.0800 7,186 17,490 $ 35,786 $ 1,399 $ 37,185
6 Open Space $ 4.9900 $ 0.0800 703 8,577 $ 3,508 $ 686 $ 4,194
7 Forested $ 4.9900 $ 0.0800 5 299 $ 25 $ 24 $ 49
8 Designated Forest Land $ 2.9900 $ 0.0100 456 122,268 $ 1,363 $ 1,223 $ 2,586
TOTAL 22,057 183,949 $ 109,202 $ 6,812 $ 116.013
Based on prior experience assessing other fees, such as the Noxious Weed Control Fee, and the
Clean Water District Fee,the County Assessor has proposed minor revisions to the
Conservation District's proposal,to simplify and reduce the cost of preparing a roll for
properties that implements the system of rates and charges. The Assessor has also recalculated
the revenues generated, based on more accurate parcel data and classification information.
The Assessor and County Treasurer met with representatives of the Conservation District and
the FCS Group to discuss the revisions and to refine the rates and charges proposal based on
feedback from the meeting and subsequent exchanges. The Assessor's final revisions and the
calculation of revenues are supported by the Assessor, Treasurer,the Conservation District and
the FCS Group, and is incorporated into an adopting resolution, included as ATTACHMENT 2.
Pursuant to RCW 89.08.405 and RCW 89.08.400(2), the County Commissioners must hold a
public hearing on the Conservation District's proposed schedule of rates and charges before
accepting or modifying and accepting the proposed schedule of rates and charges.
At the public hearing the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners will take oral and written
testimony regarding a system of rates and charges proposed by the Jefferson County
Conservation District, as well as a modified system of rates and charges proposed by the County
Assessor, to help fund the Conservation District.
Since October 23, 2018, the public has been able to view the complete text of the system of
rates and charges proposed by the Conservation District, as well as the initial draft of a
modified system proposed by the County Assessor on-line at www.co.jefferson.wa.us.
On October 23, 2018, the County provided state agencies with lands in Jefferson County with at
least 30 days' notice, as required by law, of the November 26, 2018 Public Hearing, including
the estimated amount of rates and charges to be charged for each agency's lands.
2
Following the public hearing, and after deliberating on the hearing record, the Board of County
Commissioners may accept, or modify and accept, a system of rates and charges, including the
number of years during which the rates and charges shall be imposed. At such time the Board
of County Commissioners would adopt a resolution to approve the system of rates and charges
to provide revenues to help finance the activities of the Jefferson County Conservation District.
A proposed BoCC Resolution is enclosed as ATTACHMENT 2 for Commissioner review and
potential approval after deliberating on the public hearing record.
FISCAL IMPACT: Pursuant to state statute,the County Treasurer will charge a 1%fee for work
by the Treasurer and Assessor for their work helping to administer the system of rates and
charges.
RECOMMENDATION: Hold the Public Hearing,take oral and written testimony, deliberate on
the proposed Resolution, and adopt the Resolution with the Assessor's recommended changes,
and any other changes the Board of County Commissioners may wish to make.
REVI ABY:
/7(- W
Philip Morle , Co my Administrator Date
3
ATT,-C ( "(.5�� I
JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
JEFFERSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-023
SYSTEM OF RATES AND CHARGES
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Supervisors of Jefferson County
Conservation District, relating to a system of rates and charges; proposing a
system of rates and charges to Jefferson County, Washington; and providing for
other matters properly related thereto, all as more particularly set forth herein.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION
DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS. The Board of Supervisors (the
"Board") of Jefferson County Conservation District, Washington (the "District") hereby makes
and enters the following findings and determinations:
1.1. The District is a governmental subdivision of the State of Washington and a public body
corporate and politic, created in Jefferson County (the "County") and operating since 1946. As a
requirement for District formation, the State Conservation Commission found that "the public
health, safety, and welfare warrant the creation" of the District. RCW 89.08.080. In addition,
the Legislature made express findings relating to conservation districts, stating that "the
preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and promote the health, safety, and general
welfare of its people" and that "it is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide
for the conservation of the renewable resources of the state...and thereby...to protect and
promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of the state."
1.2 District programs are designed to help private land managers protect natural resources as
they make a living from their land. The District works directly with private landowners who
have direct control over management activities on their lands, for the benefit of those properties
and the land and waters of the District.
1.3 Pursuant to chapter 89.08 RCW, the District is responsible for and authorized to carry out
Conservation Projects within the District, including but not limited to:
1.3.1 Maintain existing agricultural activities where possible to preserve local farmland,
support local agricultural producers, and promote greater food security for Jefferson County
residents.
1.3.2 Establish conservation easements to protect high-quality wildlife habitat and key
properties which support the District's resource conservation mission; implement appropriate
habitat restoration or enhancement projects.
1
1.3.3 Cooperative activities to restore high-quality habitat including personal site visits
with landowners; development of best management practices plans; recommendations for
invasive/non-native weed eradication; project coordination and implementation (e.g. stream
planting, securing necessary permits for land manager maintenance of riparian areas, and fish
passage barrier removal.)
1.3.4 Assist with projects at the request of partners (Washington State University
Extension, North Olympic Salmon Coalition and other Non-Government Organizations,
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Ecology,
Washington State Department of Commerce, School Districts, and Jefferson County agencies)to
help them meet their objectives.
1.3.5 Provide District-wide watershed health improvement by conducting water quality
monitoring in concert with Jefferson County lead agencies; developing sampling protocol and
methodology; identifying high risk properties and appropriate volunteer programs to address
resource concerns; train and coordinate citizen water quality monitoring and fish count
volunteers on streams and lakes of the County; maintain water quality monitoring equipment and
supplies; manage and analyze water quality data, and; synthesize water quality and fish data into
watershed health reports that provide a framework for effective allocation of resources toward
prioritized resource concerns.
1.3.6 Conserving and protecting high quality agricultural soils by providing landowner
education, development of best management practices plans and cost-share programs to help
livestock owners comply with County regulations, thereby offsetting the cost and burden of
addressing resource concerns; act as hub for county-wide partnership of individuals,
organizations and government agencies to support the local agricultural economy; provide
technical assistance and funding opportunities which retain high quality agricultural soils
through prevention of land conversion to residential or commercial land use and provide
resources to help keep farmers on the land thereby creating a greater food security for County
residents.
1.3.7 Provide educational opportunities for area school children and the adult public to
learn about the importance of conservation and restoration of natural resources for the working
waterfront, shellfish, aquatic health, food, water quality, slope stabilization, and habitat.
1.4 Provide County regulatory agencies with a voluntary compliance option as a cost-
effective means of gaining Critical Area Ordinance compliance.
1.5 Assist the Port of Port Townsend when requested in meeting National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System Permit requirements.
1.6 Certain properties within the District receive direct and/or indirect benefit from the
carrying out of Conservation Projects. Direct benefits are those benefits arising out of
Conservation Projects conducted on property that benefits such property. Indirect benefits are
those benefits received by downstream or adjacent parcels and by the general public through
2
improved ecosystem functions and services. (A livestock operator would benefit directly from a
District cost-share program that provided fencing from riparian areas whereas a commercial or
recreational shellfish harvester would benefit indirectly from that cost-share program by the
elimination of ruminant fecal coliforms from the stream that drains to shellfish beds).
1.7 It is appropriate for property owners within the District that benefit either directly or
indirectly or both from the Conservation Projects to pay for the cost of carrying out the District's
Conservation Projects.
1.8 The District engaged FCS Group ("FCS"), an independent financial consulting firm that
provides economic, public finance, management consulting, and financial (rates, charges, and
fees) services to public sector entities throughout the country, including city and county
governments, utilities, municipal corporations and ports, special purpose districts, and state
agencies. FCS has evaluated the services provided by the District and has developed a rate
structure, as part of the Jefferson County Conservation District Draft Rate Study (FCS Group,
2018), that allocates the costs of District services to classes of property.
1.9 The District proposes the rate schedule herein, in part, to: save District resources and
costs of consultants associated with adopting a rate schedule after five years and apply such
savings to District programing; provide rate stability for private land owners; and demonstrate to
community partners and others providing support for District programs that the District will
continue to have reliable revenue sources for the next 10 years.
1.10 In determining a rate structure, the Board has considered the discretionary factors set
forth by the Legislature in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012 and Chapter 88, Laws of 2015, including:
1.10.1 Services furnished, to be furnished, or available to landowners in the District;
1.10.2 Benefits received, or to received, or available to property in the District;
1.10.3 The character and use of land in the District;
1.10.4 The nonprofit public benefit status of land users in the District;
1.10.5 The income level of persons served or provided benefits, including senior citizens
and disabled persons; and
1.10.6 Other matters that present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction
among properties, including the natural resources needs within the District and the capacity of
the District to provide either services or improvements, or both.
1.11 The Board finds that eight classes or categories of property are appropriate: residential,
commercial, agricultural, institutional/public, vacant/undeveloped, open space, forested and
resource designated forest land. There is a rational basis for distinguishing land within the
District into classes on the basis of property use and the variation of properties within these
3
classes is found to reflect differences in services and/or benefits received, to be received or
available from the Conservation Projects.
1.12 The Board finds that it is appropriate to assign factors to each class of property that
reflect distinctions among those properties relating to the services and/or benefits received, to be
received or available from the District. These factors include (1) services and/or benefits
received, to be received or available that are insignificant or immeasurable to certain property;
(2) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available to classes of property to a lesser
degree; and, (3) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available that more fully
support property (compared to other classes of property). There is a rational basis for
distinguishing services/benefits received or available from District services and Conservation
Projects with the use of such factors and the variation of services/benefits within these factors is
found to be minor and to reflect only minor differences in services benefit received or available
from the Conservation Projects.
1.13 The administrative cost of calculating the charge for each individual property and
maintaining accurate information would be very high. Therefore, a flat charge per parcel and
acre within each property class is less costly to administer than calculating a separate charge for
each parcel and acreage because of the similarities of the characteristics and uses within each
property class.
1.14 The rates proposed to the County by this Resolution were calculated within the
parameters of a rate model from the FCS Rate Study. Under the rate model, the estimated annual
costs of District services were allocated to ratepayers as follows:
1.14.1 number of parcels in each of the property categories;
1.14.2 direct and indirect services/benefits received by or available to property within
each property category, as generally described in this Resolution; and
1.14.3 a factor reflecting the degree of services/benefits received by or available to each
property class for each Conservation Project as described in Section 1.10, above.
1.15 The attached FCS Draft Rate Study calculated rates per parcel and acre per year for eight
land use categories over the next 10 years. Such rates do not exceed the maximum rates
permitted under Chapter 88, Laws of 2015. These rates are an allocable share of the costs of
services/benefits received or available to the property owners in the District from District
services, programs and Conservation Projects, all for the preservation of natural resources,
protection of public lands and waters, and protection and promotion of the health, safety and
general welfare of the lands and people of the District.
1.16 The rates proposed herein to pay the costs of carrying out the Conservation Projects are
fees for which the federal government is liable under the Clean Water Act to the same extent as
any other classification of land. 33 U.S.C. § 1323(a), and Pub.L. 111-378, § 1, 124 Stat.
4128 (2011). However, the District determines that Olympic National Park and the extensive
federal forests and other federal resource lands within the County contribute substantially to the
4
conservation of natural resources and are thereby excluded from the system of rates
recommended by this Resolution.
1.17 Should the District and County agree that the cost to administer the Rate System
regarding certain parcels does not appear warranted (cost to administer to be in excess of likely
revenues under formula set out in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012) there may therefore be a reasonable
basis to exempt certain parcels from the rates proposed herein.
1.18 The consideration. development, adoption and implementation of the rates proposed
herein follows the public hearing held on July 23`d , 2018, and special meeting held on July
30`''2018 by the District pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2), public notice of which was properly
provided by postings throughout the District and through publication.
SECTION 2. RATE SCHEDULE. The system of rates and charges including an
annual per parcel and per acre rate schedule for calendar years 2019 through 2028 as described in
"Figure 5. Rates Schedule and Revenue Calculation" and a budget for 2019 as described in
"Figure 3. 2018/2019 JCCD Budget," both contained in the Final Rate Study Report dated July
31, 2018 attached to this Resolution and incorporated by reference, are hereby proposed to the
County pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2) and RCW 89.08.405.
Specific rates per parcel and acre shall be shown on a spreadsheet provided by the District to the
County Assessor-Treasurer, consistent with Chapter 89.08 RCW.
SECTION 3. CITIES The City of Port Townsend (City) is currently outside the bounds
of the District and therefore properties within the City bounds are exempt from the proposed
system of rates and charges. The City may choose to be included within the District at the
request of the District by way of a similar Resolution.
SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTATION. The District Manager is hereby authorized and
directed to take all appropriate and necessary acts to implement this Resolution, including
presentation of this Resolution to the County and coordination with the County, including the
County Assessor-Treasurer, and the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.
SECTION 5. RATIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION. Any action taken
consistent with the authority and prior to the effective date of this Resolution is hereby ratified,
approved and confirmed.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
[Signatures follow on the next page]
5
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS of Jefferson County Conservation
District, Washington, at an Open Public Meeting, and effective this 1 S`day of August, 2018.
JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, WASHINGTON
4,""4,41111)05, � -
Al Latham, C lair
Juli 'oggs, Vice 'hair 0 iv
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Lige; Kristian. Supervisor
'I APY
grAMIIIIIIIMmi AM Glen Huntingford, Sup . �i!or
Janet Aubin, Supervisor --
A+kcwevi4— c.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF APPROVING A }
SYSTEM OF RATES AND CHARGES } RESOLUTION NO.
ON PARCELS WITHIN THE JEFFERSON}
COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT }
PROVIDING REVENUES TO THE }
DISTRICT FOR SERVICES BENEFITING }
PROPERTIES THEREIN }
WHEREAS, RCW 89.08.405 authorizes a system of rates and charges proposed
by a conservation district and approved by the county legislative authority, to provide
revenue for the conservation district to fund services benefiting properties within the
conservation district; and
WHEREAS, the system of rates and charges authorized by RCW 89.08.405 may
include an annual per parcel amount plus an annual per acre amount for a period of up to
ten years; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD) Board of
Supervisors contracted with the FCS Group to conduct a rate study of rates to recover the
cost of JCCD programs and services furnished or available to landowners and properties
within the District; and
WHEREAS, the JCCD Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing on July 23,
2018 to solicit public comment on the consideration, development, adoption, and
implementation of a system of rates and charges, which Hearing had prior Public Notice
in accordance with RCW 89.08.400(2); and
WHEREAS, the JCCD Board of Supervisors continued deliberations and action
at a Special Meeting on July 30, 2018, and at its Regular Meeting on August 1, 2018; and
at its meeting on August 1, 2018, the JCCD Board of Supervisors approved Resolution
2018-021 proposing a system of rates and charges including an annual per parcel and
annual per acre rate schedule for calendar years 2019 through 2028, and a budget for
2019; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2018, the JCCD Board of Supervisors filed with the
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Resolution 2018-021 proposing a system of
rates and charges including an annual per parcel and annual per acre rate schedule for
calendar years 2019 through 2028, and a budget for 2019; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2018, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
approved a Hearing Notice for holding a Public Hearing on November 26, 2018 on the
Conservation District's proposed system of rates and charges as well as revisions to that
system proposed by Jefferson County, which Hearing Notice was posted in at least 5
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conspicuous locations within the Conservation District boundaries and published in the
official newspaper on October 24, November 14 and 21 pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2),
and provided notice to state agencies with lands proposed to be assessed at least thirty
days prior to the public hearing,pursuant to RCW 79.44.040; and
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2018, the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners held a Public Hearing on the Conservation District's proposed system of
rates and charges as well as revisions to that system proposed by Jefferson County; and
WHEREAS, after deliberating on the hearing record, including oral and written
testimony, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners determined it was in the public
interest to modify and accept the proposed system of rates and charges;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners, that
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS. The Jefferson County Board
of Commissioners hereby makes and enters the following findings and determinations:
1.1. The Jefferson County Conservation District (JCCD) is a governmental subdivision of the
State of Washington and a public body corporate and politic, created in Jefferson County (the
"County") and operating since 1946. As a requirement for District formation, the State
Conservation Commission found that "the public health, safety, and welfare warrant the
creation" of JCCD. RCW 89.08.080. In addition, the Legislature made express findings relating
to conservation districts, stating that "the preservation of these lands is necessary to protect and
promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its people" and that"it is hereby declared to be
the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of the renewable resources of the
state...and thereby...to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people
of the state."
1.2 JCCD programs are designed to help private land managers protect natural resources as
they make a living from their land. JCCD works directly with private landowners who have
direct control over management activities on their lands, for the benefit of those properties and
the land and waters of JCCD.
1.3 Pursuant to chapter 89.08 RCW, JCCD is responsible for and authorized to carry out
Conservation Projects within JCCD, including but not limited to:
1.3.1 Maintain existing agricultural activities where possible to preserve local farmland,
support local agricultural producers, and promote greater food security for Jefferson County
residents.
1.3.2 Establish conservation easements to protect high-quality wildlife habitat and key
properties which support JCCD's resource conservation mission; implement appropriate habitat
restoration or enhancement projects.
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1.3.3 Cooperative activities to restore high-quality habitat including personal site visits
with landowners; development of best management practices plans; recommendations for
invasive/non-native weed eradication; project coordination and implementation (e.g. stream
planting, securing necessary permits for land manager maintenance of riparian areas, and fish
passage barrier removal.)
1.3.4 Assist with projects at the request of partners (Washington State University
Extension, North Olympic Salmon Coalition and other Non-Government Organizations,
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Ecology,
Washington State Department of Commerce, School Districts, and Jefferson County agencies) to
help them meet their objectives.
1.3.5 Provide District-wide watershed health improvement by conducting water quality
monitoring in concert with Jefferson County lead agencies; developing sampling protocol and
methodology; identifying high risk properties and appropriate volunteer programs to address
resource concerns; train and coordinate citizen water quality monitoring and fish count
volunteers on streams and lakes of the County; maintain water quality monitoring equipment and
supplies; manage and analyze water quality data, and; synthesize water quality and fish data into
watershed health reports that provide a framework for effective allocation of resources toward
prioritized resource concerns.
1.3.6 Conserving and protecting high quality agricultural soils by providing landowner
education, development of best management practices plans and cost-share programs to help
livestock owners comply with County regulations, thereby offsetting the cost and burden of
addressing resource concerns; act as hub for county-wide partnership of individuals,
organizations and government agencies to support the local agricultural economy; provide
technical assistance and funding opportunities which retain high quality agricultural soils
through prevention of land conversion to residential or commercial land use and provide
resources to help keep farmers on the land thereby creating a greater food security for County
residents.
1.3.7 Provide educational opportunities for area school children and the adult public to
learn about the importance of conservation and restoration of natural resources for the working
waterfront, shellfish, aquatic health, food, water quality, slope stabilization, and habitat.
1.4 Provide County regulatory agencies with a voluntary compliance option as a cost-
effective means of gaining Critical Area Ordinance compliance.
1.5 Assist the Port of Port Townsend when requested in meeting National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System Permit requirements.
1.6 Certain properties within the District receive direct and/or indirect benefit from the
carrying out of Conservation Projects. Direct benefits are those benefits arising out of
Conservation Projects conducted on property that benefits such property. Indirect benefits are
those benefits received by downstream or adjacent parcels and by the general public through
improved ecosystem functions and services. (A livestock operator would benefit directly from a
JCCD cost-share program that provided fencing from riparian areas whereas a commercial or
3 of 10
recreational shellfish harvester would benefit indirectly from that cost-share program by the
elimination of ruminant fecal coliforms from the stream that drains to shellfish beds).
1.7 It is appropriate for property owners within the District that benefit either directly or
indirectly or both from the Conservation Projects to pay for the cost of carrying out JCCD's
Conservation Projects.
1.8 JCCD engaged FCS Group ("FCS"), an independent financial consulting firm that
provides economic, public finance, management consulting, and financial (rates, charges, and
fees) services to public sector entities throughout the country, including city and county
governments, utilities, municipal corporations and ports, special purpose districts, and state
agencies. FCS has evaluated the services provided by JCCD and has developed a rate structure,
as part of the Jefferson County Conservation District Draft Rate Study (FCS Group, 2018), that
allocates the costs of JCCD services to classes of property.
1.9 JCCD proposes the rate schedule herein, in part, to: save JCCD resources and costs of
consultants associated with adopting a rate schedule after five years and apply such savings to
JCCD programing; provide rate stability for private land owners; and demonstrate to community
partners and others providing support for JCCD programs that JCCD will continue to have
reliable revenue sources for the next 10 years.
1.10 In determining a rate structure, the JCCD Board considered the discretionary factors set
forth by the Legislature in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012 and Chapter 88, Laws of 2015, including:
1.10.1 Services furnished, to be furnished, or available to landowners in the District;
1.10.2 Benefits received, or to received, or available to property in the District;
1.10.3 The character and use of land in the District;
1.10.4 The nonprofit public benefit status of land users in the District;
1.10.5 The income level of persons served or provided benefits, including senior citizens
and disabled persons; and
1.10.6 Other matters that present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction
among properties, including the natural resources needs within the District and the capacity of
JCCD to provide either services or improvements, or both.
1.11 The JCCD Board found that eight classes or categories of property are appropriate:
residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional/public, vacant/undeveloped, open space,
forested and resource designated forest land. There is a rational basis for distinguishing land
within the District into classes on the basis of property use and the variation of properties within
these classes is found to reflect differences in services and/or benefits received, to be received or
available from the Conservation Projects.
4 of 10
1.12 The JCCD Board found that it is appropriate to assign factors to each class of property
that reflect distinctions among those properties relating to the services and/or benefits received,
to be received or available from JCCD. These factors include (1) services and/or benefits
received, to be received or available that are insignificant or immeasurable to certain property;
(2) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available to classes of property to a lesser
degree; and, (3) services and/or benefits received, to be received or available that more fully
support property (compared to other classes of property). There is a rational basis for
distinguishing services/benefits received or available from JCCD services and Conservation
Projects with the use of such factors and the variation of services/benefits within these factors is
found to be minor and to reflect only minor differences in services benefit received or available
from the Conservation Projects.
1.13 The administrative cost of calculating the charge for each individual property and
maintaining accurate information would be very high. Therefore, a flat charge per parcel and
acre within each property class is less costly to administer than calculating a separate charge for
each parcel and acreage because of the similarities of the characteristics and uses within each
property class.
1.14 The rates proposed to the County by JCCD were calculated within the parameters of a
rate model from the FCS Rate Study. Under the rate model, the estimated annual costs of JCCD
services were allocated to ratepayers as follows:
1.14.1 number of parcels in each of the property categories;
1.14.2 direct and indirect services/benefits received by or available to property within
each property category, as generally described in this Resolution; and
1.14.3 a factor reflecting the degree of services/benefits received by or available to each
property class for each Conservation Project as described in Section 1.10, above.
1.15 The rates proposed herein include rates per parcel and rates per acre per year for eight
land use categories over the next 10 years. Such rates do not exceed the maximum rates
permitted under Chapter 88, Laws of 2015. These rates are an allocable share of the costs of
services/benefits received or available to the property owners in the District from JCCD services,
programs and Conservation Projects, all for the preservation of natural resources, protection of
public lands and waters, and protection and promotion of the health, safety and general welfare
of the lands and people of the District.
1.16 The rates proposed herein to pay the costs of carrying out the Conservation Projects are
fees for which the federal government is liable under the Clean Water Act to the same extent as
any other classification of land. 33 U.S.C. § 1323(a), and Pub.L. 111-378, § 1, 124 Stat.
4128 (2011). However, the County determines that Olympic National Park and the extensive
federal forests and other federal resource lands within the County contribute substantially to the
conservation of natural resources and are thereby excluded from the system of rates
recommended by this Resolution.
5 of 10
1.17 Should JCCD and County agree that the cost to administer the Rate System regarding
certain parcels does not appear warranted (cost to administer to be in excess of likely revenues
under formula set out in Chapter 60, Laws of 2012) there may therefore be a reasonable basis to
exempt certain parcels from the rates proposed herein.
1.18 The consideration, development, adoption and implementation of the rates proposed
herein follows a public hearing held on November 26, 2018, by the Board of County
Commissioners pursuant to RCW 89.08.400(2), public notice of which was properly provided by
postings throughout the District and through publication, and provided by mail to state agencies
pursuant to RCW 79.44.040.
1.19 The"Whereas" statements above are hereby adopted as findings.
SECTION 2. SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES. A system of rates and
charges to provide revenue to the Jefferson County Conservation District, including an annual
per parcel and an annual per acre rate schedule for calendar years 2019 through 2028 for parcels
lying within the boundaries of the Jefferson County Conservation District, as those boundaries
currently exist or may subsequently be amended, is hereby approved as described in EXHIBIT 1
attached hereto and incorporated herein, with exemptions also as described in EXHIBIT 1.
SECTION 3. PREPARATION OF RATES AND CHARGES ROLL. Pursuant to
RCW 89.08.405, the conservation district shall prepare a roll that implements the system of rates
and charges approved by this Resolution. The rates and charges from the roll shall be spread by
the county assessor as a separate item on the tax rolls and shall be collected and accounted for
with property taxes by the county treasurer.
SECTION 4. LIEN. The amount of the rates and charges shall constitute a lien against
the land that shall be subject to the same conditions as a tax lien, and collected by the treasurer in
the same manner as delinquent real property taxes, and subject to the same interest and penalty
as for delinquent property taxes.
SECTION 5. COUNTY TREASURER. Pursuant to RCW 89.08.405(6) the county
treasurer shall deduct 1% 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 actual costs of such work.
SECTION 6. LANDOWNER APPEALS. In adopting a system of rates and charges,
and in the JCCD's subsequent preparation of the rates and charges roll, the Jefferson County
Board of Commissioners recognize that RCW 89.08.405(5) requires the JCCD Board of
Supervisors to establish by resolution a process providing for landowner appeals of the
individual rates and charges as applicable to a parcel or parcels, and that the decision of the
JCCD Board of Supervisors regarding any appeal shall be final and conclusive. The County
Assessor and County Treasurer shall be responsible for implementing the Board of Supervisors'
decision on the appeal, provided however that reclassification of land use codes and correction of
the area of a parcel must be approved and implemented by the Jefferson County Assessor's
Office.
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SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED this day of , 2018.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
David Sullivan, Chair
Kate Dean, Member
ATTEST:
Kathleen Kler, Member
Carolyn Gallaway,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
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EXHIBIT 1:
SYSTEM OF RATES AND CHARGES
FOR YEARS 2019-2028 FOR PARCELS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Land Classification & Rate
The following parcel land use categories and rates shall be applied for 2019—2028 to assess a
fee for the Jefferson County Conservation District:
LAND USE CATEGORY PARCEL RATE PER ACRE RATE
1-Recreation $5.00 $0.10
2-Commercial; $4.98 $0.08
3-Agriculture; $4.99 $0.10
4-Institutional/Public; $4.98 $0.08
5-Vacant/Undeveloped; $4.98 $0.08
6-Open Space; $4.99 $0.08
7-Forested; $4.99 $0.08
8-Timberland (DFL/OST/DNR) $2.99 $0.01
For 8-Timberland, only one parcel rate/unique landowner plus an aggregated per acre charge of
.01/acre not to exceed $100/landowner(10,000 acres max. by statute) will be charged.
For per acre charges, acreage shall be determined from rounding up to the next whole acre for
each parcel (minimum of 1 acre).
Exemptions: Lands not subject to the Conservation District Assessment. The following lands
are exempt from the rates and charges:
• All parcels not within the boundaries of the Jefferson County Conservation District,
which presently excludes parcels within the incorporated limits of the City of Port
Townsend.
• Federal and Tribal Trust lands.
• State and County roads and rights of way.
• Mineral rights.
• Standalone tideland parcels and/or tideland acreage.
• Standalone water parcels and/or water acreage.
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• Common areas and open space as separate parcels where the land is assessed through
other parcels (acreage may be distributed to the other parcels for calculating the
Conservation District fees).
• Private roads as separate parcels where the land is assessed through other parcels
(acreage may be distributed to the other parcels for calculating the Conservation District
fees).
• Taxable parcels where the fair market value is identified as $500 or less.
• Taxable parcels where the cost to administer the rate system exceeds revenues.
• Improvements Only parcels (no direct land component).
NOTE: The Board of County Commissioners may also wish to consider exempting the
following:
• Individuals who are enrolled in the Senior/Disabled Exemption tax program.
If a portion of a real property parcel does not satisfy any exemption criteria specified in this
section,then the parcel shall be subject to said fee.
Comparison with Conservation District's Proposal
The system of rates and charges adopted herein is shown side by side with the Conservation
District's original proposal, on the next page.
9 of 10
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