The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to not accept new contract and not renew old contracts under the Williamson Act, which would end the program within 10 years.
The Williamson Act, formally known as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965, allows for the protection of farmland by limiting land in the designated area as only being used as farmland, said County Executive Officer Ralph Cordova.
It gives a property tax exemptions for landowners in those areas, said Supervisor Gary Wyatt. To compensate the county for the loss of the property tax, money is supposed to be given to the county from the state.
This year, the state government did not set aside the money for the program, which was a loss for the county, Wyatt said. It also doesn't look like there will be any funding in the future for the program.
Some in the audience cautioned the board about making a final decision before the budget went out.
-- ELIZABETH VARIN, Staff Writer
Read Wednesday's edition of the Imperial Valley Press in print or online for more information.
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