CAUV informational meeting Nov. 19

Highland County farm and agricultural landowners are invited to attend an informational meeting to review the Current Agricultural Use Value soil type increases.  The State of Ohio sets the land values in the CAUV program based on soil types rather than the market value of other real estate, which is set by the County Auditor.  This meeting is being sponsored by the Highland County Farm Bureau.

Counties receive soil values from the State every three years when either a Reappraisal or Triennial Update is to be completed.  The CAUV rates received by Highland County are considerably higher for taxes to be paid in 2010.

Larry Gearhardt, Senior Director of Local Affairs for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the owner of a farm in Covington, Ohio, will be presenting information concerning how the rates are set for each soil type.  Before joining the Ohio Farm Bureau, Mr. Gearhardt was engaged in the private practice of law.  He is a former chairman of the Agricultural Law Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association and served as a former board member of the American Agricultural Law Association.  He has appeared on television and radio, and has written numerous articles on agricultural law issues.

"I have attended these meetings by Mr. Gearhardt in other counties and am very pleased that our local Farm Bureau has arranged this opportunity for him to review and discuss the CAUV increases,” said County Auditor Bill Fawley.  "It is obvious Mr. Gearhardt is extremely knowledgeable and I encourage all interested taxpayers to attend.”

The meeting will be held at the Hi-Tech Center, 1575 North High Street, Hillsboro, Nov. 19, 7:00 p.m.  For questions, please call the Highland County Farm Bureau at (800) 443-6830.