2011 Executive Proposed Budget

Funding for Rural Programs in the Water and Land Resources Division

The 2011 Executive Proposed Budget funds programs that encourage sustainable agriculture and forestry in King County using appropriate revenue sources. In 2010, the General Fund transferred $160,974 to support the Current Use Taxation program. In 2011, the General Fund will transfer $923,230.

Farmland Preservation program funding

The General Fund will fund the Farmland Preservation Program at status quo level, enabling the County to continue to meet its legal obligation to protect and preserve past public investments in valuable agricultural resources. The General Fund will also fund staff to support the Agriculture and Forestry Commissions, though at a slightly lower level than in previous years.

Agriculture Program: Long-term and sustainable

A portion of General Fund support will provide one-time funding for the King County Agriculture Program to work with farmers, the business community, cities, and other agencies to develop a long-term service provision and sustainable funding strategy for agriculture and forestry programs. This funding will provide a platform to develop strategies aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability for agriculture and our region’s rural areas. This support will help galvanize and unify local efforts to support agriculture and promote healthy eating. Funding support for agricultural marketing, including Puget Sound Fresh, will be reduced due to the increasing financial crisis in the General Fund.

The Current Use Taxation or Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) program provides incentives to encourage landowners to voluntarily conserve and protect land resources and open space. This program will remain at status quo level with a proposal to increase the PBRS application fee to $480 and continued General Fund support. The proposed application fee is less than many jurisdictions in the Puget Sound area, ranging from $600 to $2,500.

Return to:

• News release
• Executive speech