HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1998-004WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 1998 - 74
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
1/27/98
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor.
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.-
Resolution supporting senate bill 6568 relating to school district revenues
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed resolution
SUMMARY STATEMENT -
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/N Requested Date:
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
1998-74 1/27/98: Approved 5 - 0, Brenner & Sutter absent. Res. #98 -004
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
V.- *W-�
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SPONSORED BY:
PROPOSED BY:.
Imhof
Imhof.
INTRODUCTION DATE: 1/27/98
RESOLUTION NO. 98 -004
IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 6568 RELATING TO SCHOOL DISTRICT
REVENUES
WHEREAS, during the 1930's many parcels of land were acquired by counties, mainly in
Western Washington, because the owners failed to pay the property taxes due; and,
WHEREAS, during the late 1930's and early 1940's, most counties transferred these county
lands to the newly created State Forest Board (SFB)for management; and,
WHEREAS, the SFB would sell timber when someone applied to purchase a specific patch
of timber; and,
WHEREAS, the SFB would pay the county 90% of the money received from the sale of
timber; and,
WHEREAS, ten percent was retained as a management fee for the SFB's expenses; and,
WHEREAS, each county was to distribute money received from the SFB in the same manner
used to collect general tax dollars for the taxing district, where the timber sold was located; and,
WHEREAS, a county, school district, rural fire district, etc. received any money only when
timber was sold; and,
WHEREAS, the SFB timber money was in lieu of property taxes that would have been paid
yearly had the land still been in private ownership; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was created in 1957 and the SFB's
authority was transferred to the DNR; and,
WHEREAS, the DNR began an intensive forest management program for the state lands
which included the State Forest Board - Transfer lands; and,
WHEREAS, a forest inventory was done which provided data that enabled the DNR to sell
timber on a sustained basis within each county; and,
WHEREAS the sale of this timber created steady income for counties and school districts
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t with Forest Board lands, and other public entities with these taxing districts; and,
2 WHEREAS, SFB land and timber harvest exists in 66 school districts within Washington
3 State; and,
4 WHEREAS, legislation to eliminate the deductible status will reduce the state general fund
5 surplus by approximately $14 million per year.
6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports
7 proposed Senate Bill 6568 to amend the statutes so that state forest board revenue will not be
8 deducted from the general funds of 66 school districts.
9 APPROVED this 27 day of January. � 1998.
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11 ATTEST:
t APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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16 Crvill Dep ty Prose utor
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Robert Imhof, Council Chair