I would like to respond to Agweek’s March 2 article, “ State-owned lands cause for concern in Bloom Township, Minn. ”
The article quotes a Bloom Township supervisor having concerns about state-owned lands costing the township lost property tax revenue. While understandable, I’d like to correct some misconceptions in the article and show how local governments benefit financially from public land.
The state’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program pays money to local governments to offset lost taxes due to public land ownership. The State PILT rate in Nobles County for lands purchased from private parties is three-quarters of 1 percent of appraised value. Nobles County tax records show the recently-acquired 640 acres for Swessinger Wildlife Management Area had an estimated market value of $3,431,500. Here’s the income to the county and township resulting from the property.
2016 Property Tax Bill: $17,026
Bloom Township’s Share: $3,044.77 (17.9%)
2018 Payment in Lieu of Taxes: $25,736.25 (assuming $3,431,500 valuation)
Bloom Township’s Share: $4,606.79 (assuming the same 17.9% share)
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As you can see, PILT monies exceed tax revenues for both the county and township.
The article also asserts that the DNR is not maintaining its property. That section of Jack Creek is one of the few remaining natural stretches of waterways left in Nobles County. A downed tree creates habitat for turtles and birds. Plant life and the floodplain helps improve water quality.
Thank you for allowing me to present the positives of public land.
