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[Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Valuation & Review (Current Use Program) official]: The point in time where all of our property is assessed by our list or assessor for that tax year. And so what does happen is there may be a building that is part of a farming operation that would probably be enrolled once it's complete and in use. But if it's not finished by September 1, they've lost that window and now they, it's not complete, it doesn't get enrolled and therefore they've got one full tax year where they're paying the full price of those structures. I think we can change our practice or provide some sort of an amend, like a straight form amendment or like amending your application form that folks can fill out. I think even just when the enrollment is submitted, theoretically you kind of either know where it's gonna be or it's under construction to mark that on the map because then when we're doing that review, it's like, oh right, there's supposed to be a new structure here, they've added it to their application so that it could get that benefit and be enrolled the first year that it's standing. Because knowing Vermont's construction window, I think often construction probably goes past September before. So then that is something that we could definitely
[Sen. Russ Ingalls (Chair)]: Okay, so you're willing to do one or two things. Either do it through, what's the easiest, what's the best way?
[Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Valuation & Review (Current Use Program) official]: Yeah, it may not require a statutory change. It more just might need to be something we can put in our administrative roles and provide an application amendment. I don't think we're prohibited from accepting an amended application. My concern is whenever we change a deadline and it sort of opens up that door for everybody kind of ignore that first deadline and then everybody's kind of sending Us stuff, so I want it to be really specific too. That could be in the enrollment section of the statute, could say, a building that's partially incomplete but applies to the April 1 of the following grants, you can't be enrolled, something like that.
[Sen. Russ Ingalls (Chair)]: So, I've always said from day one that I I do not want it to be a, oh, yeah. Well, yeah. No. Yeah. It's a backup file because I know I don't want it to be that. I want I want them to stick to the dates they were, but then when they do screw ups, that there is an offering for them to get right again. So whatever that you folks can do for that, we would be very appreciative. And
[Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Valuation & Review (Current Use Program) official]: also just, you know, after the conversations we've had with you folks, we've been talking with the Agency of Agriculture to kind of beef up our communications to farmers every year and on a pretty regular cadence and to really sort of make really clear about, you really need to tell us if anything's changed.
[Sen. Russ Ingalls (Chair)]: Well, this is why we appreciate it, is because the push is now, and it's coming out of a lot of the bills that Senator Collamore has in his committee, is that there seems to be a big push for some folks within the state to make it a statewide system as far as to the lifters and all that. So we're losing some of that contact at the local level. So any of that that you can do to keep them reminded. And guess what? It makes us all look nicer, right? Or it's out there helping them and trying to get them to make sure that they are not going to have to write a $58,000 tax bill by an adjunctive reminder. I think that's a very nice thing. It sounds like that we don't really have to do much on that, that that is something that you're already going move forward.
[Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Valuation & Review (Current Use Program) official]: Yes. Essentially partially complete or plans to complete farm buildings can be added after the September 1 date and if you fail to file your application, we will continue to There's a $1 fine. It costs way more to administer that fine. Okay,
[Sen. Russ Ingalls (Chair)]: well we would like that even better. So, okay, well thank you for that. I'm just just with everything. So really appreciate it very much. Thank you. Anybody else? All set? No. Okay.
[Vermont Department of Taxes – Property Valuation & Review (Current Use Program) official]: Okay.
[Sen. Russ Ingalls (Chair)]: Let them move on.