Welcome to Skagit County

June 29th, 2012

Skagit County to receive critical funding from Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012

SKAGIT COUNTY - Congress passed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 today, which includes two provisions that positively affect Skagit County: Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT), and Secure Rural Schools (SRS).
Both programs allow Skagit and other Northwest Washington counties to receive payments from the federal government to support critical infrastructure programs. These payments are a fulfillment of the federal promise to rural counties with significant amounts of federal public lands, which cannot be taxed by the counties for revenue.

"This has been a key partnership with all three Commissioners, Congressman Rick Larsen, and our Senators to maintain support for these programs through our federal lands," said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. "We commend Congressman Larsen for his continuing leadership in ensuring critical funding support for schools, roads, Firewise, and many other important programs in Skagit County."

The bill reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program through fiscal year 2012, meaning that counties in Northwest Washington will receive funding in 2013 to keep police on the streets, teachers in classrooms, and firefighters on the job. This year, Skagit County will receive $694,256.

The bill also reauthorizes the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program through fiscal year 2013, ensuring additional funding for counties that have federal land which cannot be developed to increase their tax base. Skagit County will receive $843,863 for the PILT program this year.

"Secure Rural Schools and PILT are a lifeline to Skagit County," Congressman Larsen said. "Commissioner Dahlstedt has been a determined advocate for Skagit County, lobbying hard to reauthorize these programs. His leadership on behalf of Skagit County and the National Association of Counties helped make sure Congress took action. Dollars from Secure Rural Schools and PILT go directly into classrooms, police forces, fire departments and roads."