How has the last budget cycle affected the Williamson Act?
For the 2010 fiscal year, the California legislature and the Governor agreed to suspend subvention payments to local governments. The subvention payments would reimburse the county, in part, for lossed tax revenue as a result of the Williamson Act. Prior to 2008, Santa Clara County received $395, 000 and for the 2010 fiscal year that amount will be $0. The amount Santa Clara County receives from the State in relation to the total amount of lossed tax revenue from the Williamson Act is small and therefore there isn’t any immediate threat to those landowners whose land is covered under the Williamson Act. SCCAOR will work with our County Supervisors to ensure they are educated about the value the Williamson Act adds to the agriculture industry in our County.
