Farm Tax Reassessment
(Continued from Pago Al)
the three county commissioners.
“My feeling on the whole thing
is that never have so many people
paid so much for something that is
not necessary,” said Brad Fisher.
“It is one of the most striking
examples of why we need tax
reforms in Pennsylvania to get
away from this unfair taxing sys
tem. The nature of property appra
sials is that no matter how many
millions you spend, we can’t keep
it up to date. It is a tax system that is
an insult to taxpayers. Not only are
we taxing you for government ser
vices, we are taxing you eight or
nine million dollars just to main
tain a system to tell us how much
Join the list of
with Chore-Time
More Than 230 Ultraflo® Systems Have Been Sold In The
Northeast Since 1985 * That’s Over 16 Million Birds!
"" “■ """ 1.111,1 , EASY AUGER CONNECTOR.
Allows fast and simple installation,
, y blk> quick and easy repair of auger
A tf ever necessary. Auger and trough
s are both warranted 5 full years.
Chain feeders ore not.
Call or send for the list of over 80%
top egg producers who have switched
to Chore-Time!
Call for send for the list of over 200
Ultraflo® houses in the northeast.
The Top 54 US. Egg Producers os lilted In NovJDtc 1991 EGG INDUSTRY
Contracts available for new layer houses. For more information call:
1-800-673-2580
tax you must pay.”
Jim Huber, chairman, county
commissioners, said that in the ear
ly 80’s they had looked into the
need for reassessment and con
cluded that Lancaster County had
one of the most equitable assess
ments in the state, and the expen
sive program to reassess each prop
erty was not necessary. Huber said
that part of their concern was the
effect reassessment would have on
But the new court ruling has
forced the reassessment and a con
tract has been awarded to Auto
mated Valuation Services, Ebens
burg, to do the job. What’s done is
done!
To get some additional benefit
Northeast Agri Systems, Inc.
FLYWAY BUSINESS PARK (JJJ
Sffi (IPw)"
mtm
139 A West Airport Rd.
(717) 569-2702
from the reassessment effort that
calls for a visit by an assessor to
each property in the county, Terry
Kauffman, county commissioner,
said a Geographic Information
System (GIS) and a 911 Emergen
cy Enhancement System will be
done at the same time. Aerial
photos have been taken that will be
scaled on the basis of one to 200
feet in the county and one to SO feet
in the city. These maps will be
detailed enough for firemen and
policemen to use in emergency
situations.
To the agricultural community’s
benefit, overlays of these maps will
show the soil types on the farms.
This will help fulfill the need for
farmers who want to apply for
exception under Act 319, the Clean
satisfied users
Ultraflo feeders
ones have too.
They’ve all looked at die advantages and chosen
ULTRAFLO. That’s because it makes them more
profitable. Total egg production and egg size—these
are the best benefits of our complete feeding system.
Why not check out the facts for yourself? Contact
us now—or ask any producer who owns ULTRAFLO.
Because the only negative comments about our
feeding system come from our competition—not from
our customers.
Lititz, PA 17543
1-800-673-2580
UncMtor Fuming, Saturday, Juna 12, 1903-A33
and Green Act. This Preferential
Assessment of Farmland and Fore
st Land Act factors in some assess
ment based on production income
as well as real estate values. Many
farmers are expected to apply for
this preferential assessment after
they see what the new county
assessment has done to their tax
burden.
One of the questions raised at the
meeting dealt with this issue. Ken
Rutt, Quanyville farmer, business
man, said commercial real estate
assessment is done on an income
approach basis, and he asked why
not assess farms the same way.
Rutt acknowledged that Act 319
does this.
STORE WifiS
Mon-Fri.
7:304:30
SaL 0:00-Noan
“Bui why can’t we do this in the
first place rather than make every
body file a lien against their prop
erty in order to comply with Act
319 to geta preferential assessment
value,” Rutt asked. “We should be
getting this value in the original
assessment process.”
Other statements made in a
wrap-up session that was running
out of time for adjournment
included:
-Commercial buildings appre
ciate while they are depreciated on
the books. Many farm buildings for
special purposes, such as swine or
poultry, have no alternative use at
the end of the depreciation period.
-The equipment inside farm
buildings often helps sell the real
estate but should not be part of the
assessment placed on the farm. It’s
important to know that equipment
is not valued in the real estate.
--The county commissioners
plan to ask agribusiness leaders of
finance and building contractors to
help advise the assessors.
--Over 200 farms are under deed
restrictions and in ag preserves. No
consideration of how these farms
will be treated in relative assess
ment has been addressed by tax
officials in their presentations.
-Another meeting on reassess
ment will be held by the Lancaster
County Farmers’ Association
Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. in
the Farm and Home Center. Every
one is invited to this meeting.
WE MANUFACTURE
HIGH PRESSURE WASHERS
Portable or Stationary
WmW
8 CONSTRUCTED WITH
I HYPRO PUMP
Detergents or Soap Fluid Injection Available
We Also Manufacture Coal Fired
Hot Water Supply Broilers!
HIGH-TENSILE FENCING and
HARDWARE
WELDING-STEEL, STAINLESS
STEEL & ALUMINUM
WELDING SUPPLIES
KENDALL OILS & LUBRICANTS
@y*i| , a Kendal)
, WtZt Drydene
OILS &
\ LUBRICANTS
fl» n g a m€mgllg SSI®!?.
2388 Old Leacock Rd.,
Gordonville, PA 17529
717-768-3853 UPS StlWt