11/10/08 Stakeholder meetings on Open Space definitions

Washington Ag November 11, 2008 The Department of Revenue holds a stakeholder meeting this Thursday, November 13th regarding the definition of "commercial agriculture purposes" in determining eligibility for Open Space tax treatment. Department of Revenue spokesman Mike Gowrylow says one issue that has come up is that current rules require not only the raising of, but also the breeding of animals. Gowrylow: "And it may be that, that is not reasonable anymore given current farm practices. But in order to change a rule we have to conduct stakeholder meetings, hold hearings and go through a formal process so we can evaluate if we can say either or is okay." The eligibility of horse boarding is another topic that will be addressed, and Gowrylow says there may be others the department is not aware of so public input on revisions is wanted. This week's meeting is in Olympia at the General Administration Auditorium on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. A second meeting has now been scheduled for eastern Washington. That will be in Yakima on December 4th at the Red Lion Hotel at one p.m. You can get more info at dor.wa.gov I'm Bob Hoff.