Grower urges Lake County to consider tax relief or support as vineyards are removed

Michael Wagner, a resident, told the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 that the agricultural and wine-grape industry is "going through just kinda catastrophic times." He said he has seen "acres and acres get ripped out of the ground" and urged the board to consider whether the county can help, either by adjusting taxes on assessed crop values or finding "some alternative way to support the industry."

Wagner said he did not presume to know the exact policy fix but warned that without action "we don't get ahead of the curve, it's a steep cliff off the other side." He identified wine grapes as his primary concern and noted cattle could be affected in other circumstances.

The comment came during the meeting's public-input period; the board did not take action during public input, and the chair reminded attendees that, under the Brown Act, the board cannot address non-agenda items at that time. Wagner's remarks focused on the economic value of the wine-grape industry to Lake County and asked supervisors to consider preventative measures to avoid long-term revenue loss if growers remove vines en masse.

The transcript did not specify particular tax rates, programs, or fiscal models Wagner recommended. He described the problem as rooted in taxes on assessed crop values but said he was "not sure what the right answer is" and hoped the board would "come up with some solutions."