Federal PILT Payments Issued

This week, the U.S. Department of Interior began distributing Fiscal Year 2017 Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) monies to counties.  California’s counties are scheduled to receive approximately $48.2 million.  Federal PILT payments to local governments help offset losses in property taxes due to non-taxable federal lands within their boundaries. 

Federal PILT payments support a variety of local government programs and services, including police and fire departments, emergency medical services, and search and rescue operations.  

“Modoc County’s $600,000 PILT payment is vital to preserving our law enforcement services as well as other critical programs,” said RCRC Board Member and Modoc County Supervisor Geri Byrne.  “Like so many other rural counties in California, much of the land-mass of Modoc County is owned by the federal government.  Thus, we must rely on federal PILT payments to continue these important local services.”

While the future of Fiscal Year 2018 Federal PILT funding remains uncertain, RCRC and federal government partners continue to advocate for permanent and full funding of the Federal PILT program.  

County-by-county Federal PILT payment’s for California can be accessed here.