2021-07-06 Budget UpdateBudget Update
July 6, 2021
2:33 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Becky Butler, Arny Davis,
Tailor Arrington
Guests: Nic Scott and an online viewer identified as “Public”
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Treasurer Arny Davis said the state DNR’s Forest Tax distribution center contacted his office on July 2.
He said the state implemented new programing for the state’s forest tax distributions in 2018 and that
the state recently discovered that the state’s new system misallocated the county’s portion of the forest
tax fees, taking it from the state instead of the county.
Arny said the state indicated the county now owes nearly $900,000 because of the state’s misstep.
Becky Butler expressed concerns for the special purpose districts that also receive funding.
Arny said the state indicated the county could make a one-time payment or pay the funds back in three
annual installments.
Arny said he has spoken to Rep. Ed Orcutt and reached out to Sen. John Braun’s office regarding the
predicament.
The group discussed the need to return to the counties the management of their forest lands, noting
that the state keeps 25 cents for every dollar collected.
Meeting ended at 2:52 p.m.