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Key Issue:

Property Rights and Protecting Agriculture

Our State Government recently cut the funding of the Williamson Act to a total of One Thousand Dollars. Many of our Farms and Ranches are barely making it. If they would have to pay property taxes based upon highest and best use instead of the farm or ranch value they could well be forced out of business. If this were to happen, then the property will only be viable for its highest and best use which would be home development. Every effort should be made to make sure that these subvention funds are continued. Fortunatly the county has added this into their budget this year. As supervisor I will be a vote to continue funding this important act.

                The Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission continue to debate creating an events ordinance on Ag zoned properties. The first draft of the ordinance created an uproar within the farm and ranch and business owner communities. There was such an outcry from the public that the issue was sent back to the Board of Supervisors for more direction. The left leaning Planning Commission’s recommendations to the Board would have virtually terminated any for profit events on Ag zoned property. The Board fortunately did not accept those recommendations. They did, however, on a 3 to 2 vote decide to revise existing policy by voting to not allow minor use permits to exist indefinitely but rather have a finite life as determined on a case by case basis by the hearing officer. While some were relieved that the planning commission recommendations were not adopted, the action that was taken hurt Ag zoned property and business owners. The costs to go through the permitting process all over again are significant and will stop many that are contemplating it. I will watch this issue closely as the proposed ordinance continues to be debated.

               As a Ranch owner for many years, 4-H leader and as President of the San Luis Obispo County Range Improvement Association, Mike Zimmerman believes the protection of agriculture is vital to the well being of his community. Our Nation, State and County are facing government intrusion on a scale never seen before. Mike Zimmerman will be a strong voice protecting property rights and pushing for smaller, less intrusive county government.