LETTER to the EDITOR

Letter to the Editor:

I read with interest your recent front page story about Florida's agricultural assessment (Lee County property owners that milk it, Oct. 25). Greenbelt, as the law is also known, is a really good deal for all of us. It is not an exemption. It helps keep agriculture profitable, so farmers can provide the wholesome products we all depend on. Agriculture is second only to tourism in terms of overall economic impact to the state. Farms also provide water recharge, wildlife habitat and green space while holding development at bay - all at no cost to taxpayers. Cows and groves don't require sidewalks and schools. Several studies indicate that landowners who hold agricultural assessments use only 25 cents in public services for every dollar they contribute in property taxes.

Greenbelt helps ensure agricultural producers are treated equitably and helps sustain agricultural producers. As constitutional officers, property appraisers are vested with adequate authority to police and curb abuse. I agree wholeheartedly with your property appraiser that only bona fide agricultural producers should have the classification.

In 1959 state lawmakers saw fit to pass the Greenbelt Law to help keep land in production agriculture. Greenbelt allows property used for bona fide agricultural purposes to be taxed on the basis of the "use" value of farming operations rather than the market value of the property. Generally this means the tax assessments for qualifying land are lower than those for other uses. Greenbelt is not an exemption. It is a tax formula applied by county property appraisers that takes many factors into account. One factor is the value of the goods produced. For example, the higher dollar amount of the goods produced, the higher the tax assessment.

Agricultural assessment of land used in production of food, fiber and fuel remains a good investment in Florida's future.

Kathy Richardson

Gainesville