Anyone Know How The Advisory Council Meeting Went Today?

As posted on the thread under Deer Hunting (Current data on the public comment, p 8) the Advisory Council (AC) met on January 14, 2015 as scheduled. (Please note that the Advisory Council (AC) is just what its name implies -- it gives advice, serves as a sounding board, makes suggestions, etc. It does NOT have the authority to rule on proposals for regulation changes like the Natural Resources Commission does.) The AC discussed the proposed “high-power rifle” rule changes as noted in their meeting agenda. Following is the link to their January 14 meeting agenda:

www.in.gov/nrc/2435.htm

The January 14 meeting was a matter of public record and the meeting minutes will be made available to the public. Also, it is my understanding that at the upcoming meeting (January 20, 2015) of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) the Advisory Council will present a report of what transpired at its most recent meeting. Please refer to the following link to see the agenda for the NRC January 20, 2015 meeting:

in.gov/nrc/2350.htm

Also, please note that in my opinion no ruling regarding the “high-power rifle” rule is expected by the NRC at its January 20 meeting. I suspect the NRC will hear what the AC has to say and take it under consideration as additional input in the process of evaluating comments regarding proposed rule changes.

Also, please note that I have not yet seen or heard any specific date or dates for public hearings. There will most likely be more than one public hearing, taking into account all the interest in the proposed rule changes by citizens all over the state. I do expect the date(s) for public hearing(s) will be announced before long.

JMHO -- FWIW

Thank you sir....

I just sent out two mass email requests for folks to send in their comments on the rifles and the catfish proposals,

Assessment of land is something Indiana is finally doing "more appropriately" the nice thing is that they still lag behind true market value when it comes to assessing land...especially if it is still in as agricultural ground (meaning actively being farmed for cash crops).

The benefit for truly going classified is to avoid taxes but like stated it isn't always the best long term. If you have any tillable area on your ground lease out it to a farmer, document it and your land will be applicable according to state IC code law in assessing land in Indiana. If it is entirely wooded and you don't have the ability to lease the land for farming there are options however when trying to avoid taxes you will need to do some leg work but it is doable to get agricultural pricing once paperwork in place. You have a few options, let me know if you can't lease a portion (like 5acres or more should be safe to do) and I can probably get you some information. If you can lease just do that as it will benefit you in the end tax game and avoid taxes.

Classified cannot be applied to the home area, but that is all laid out when it is actually classified. The issues are never during the present it is always when you try to remove it from it or sell it and the buyer removes it from it.

Also to get DNR classified ground there are things you cannot and can do and it has to be reviewed (or techniquely) every so many years and in many cases yearly. Granted this is usually just a BS review and rarely onsite due to the understaffed issues.

I always tell people the best thing to do is to lease to a farmer a portion of the property and that changes the way the entire parcel has to be assessed (excluding homesite, and residential excess area). 2nd best option is the dumb stewardship programs you can do with your district forester...again though this qualifies you for ag assessment rates...which is still vastly below market value (excluding your swamp or a-typical situations).