County should end 'tax' on gopher lands

Sixty years as a Thurston County resident. Since 1974 I’ve been proud to advocate and provide homes to folks coming to my county. Today I sat with a customer asking to buy a Rochester acre. I told them to look in Lewis or Grays Harbor counties as nightmares of Thurston County regulation would create delay and expense far beyond their economic ability.

If lucky it might cost just $6,500 to pay a gopher “fee”; if not lucky maybe as much as $42,000. But it really can’t be determined until extensive rodent surveys were done.

I then called the owner of the acre who had entrusted this listing to me and explained that I could no longer act as property advocate and fired myself as their representative. The owner begged for advice as they need to sell this land held for retirement. They are liable for another $700 for 2016 taxes.

The county assessor says this acre is worth $44,650. For three years I’ve had it for sale at $39,000. If the gopher-related cost is $42,000 this site is worthless. I am sad that I don’t have good advice for this owner. Thurston County has destroyed their investment and dream of a buyer that would like to locate here.

An immediate tax moratorium should be put in place on this and similar gopher habitat land.

County Commissioner Blake understands. Commissioners Romero and Wolfe should be replaced as they have advocated for rodents and against property owners.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 2:34 PM with the headline "County should end 'tax' on gopher lands."