Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Ken Buck joined dozens of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle this week on a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi demanding the full funding of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT). Under this program, the federal government provides offsetting funds to local governments that lose property tax revenue due to the existence of tax-exempt federal lands in their jurisdiction. County governments depend on PILT payments to fund vital services like law enforcement and health services, as well as transportation infrastructure.
“Since it’s exempt from local property taxes, the federal government should contribute to local communities through PILT funds,” Congressman Ken Buck stated. “I encourage Congress to fully fund the PILT program and to ensure its long-term existence.”
The letter requests “a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund PILT in FY17 and beyond.” Without a long-term solution, counties must regularly contend with the uncertainty of not knowing whether PILT funds will be available.
Below is a table of counties from the Fourth Congressional District with their fiscal year 2016 PILT payments and eligible acreage (U.S. Department of the Interior does not list all counties).
County Payment Total Acres
ARAPAHOE COUNTY $1,678 4,613
BENT COUNTY $54,394 21,386
BOULDER COUNTY $334,458 163,619
CROWLEY COUNTY $9,836 4,055
DOUGLAS COUNTY $280,328 144,671
KIOWA COUNTY $25,039 10,552
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY $643,622 302,989
LINCOLN COUNTY $2,520 2,066
MORGAN COUNTY $1,172 3,221
OTERO COUNTY $429,877 174,218
PROWERS COUNTY $156 430
WASHINGTON COUNTY $289 795
WELD COUNTY $71,706 197,190
YUMA COUNTY $2,716 7,470
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior
Contact: Kyle Huwa, 202-225-4676
