County PILT Revenue Increased
by Amanda Jones
Echo News Editor
Taxing bodies in Cameron County will receive an influx of funds going forward due to successful lobbying for increased payments-in-lieu-of taxes (PILT) paid on some state-held lands within their borders.
Municipalities, boroughs, school districts and counties across Pennsylvania will now receive $6.00 per acre for lands administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on state forests and park lands, resulting in a 67% increase in payments. Previously, only $3.60 per acre was collected.
In Cameron County, where 50% of the total acreage is utilized as state forest land and an additional 4% is devoted to state parks, the PILT increased to $279,158.56 this year. The school district received a similar increase, and revenue to townships will increase according to the number of acres within their jurisdiction. Across the county, more than $300,000 in additional revenue is expected to be received.