LAKE COUNTY >> After the cultivation ordinance becomes effective on April 19, the County of Lake announced it would collect cultivators’ first tax payments upon issuing permits.
The County clarified that its authority to collect payments begins once the cultivator’s permit is final and the Treasurer-Tax collector cannot issue a bill before that time.
The first permits are expected to be issued six to 18 weeks after April 19.
County Administrative Officer Carol J. Huchingson said,“Finance staff is working in earnest to complete development of our processes while Community Development conducts pre-application conferences with future cultivators.”
Huchingson added that tax actual tax revenues are “very difficult to predict” as just over one-third of those expected to pursue permits have come forward at this time.
On Nov. 8, 2016, Lake County residents voted to authorize the County to tax “legally-authorized” cannabis cultivation. An Ordinance establishing Chapter 18, Article VI., “Cannabis Cultivation Tax,” was added to the Lake County Code as a result of the favorable vote. This Ordinance, effective January 1, 2017, established tax rates for cultivation sites.
In the interim period, the Board of Supervisors and County staff said they had undertaken considerable study and action, culminating Tuesday, March 20 of this year with the passage of an Ordinance establishing regulations for “Personal/patient/caregiver” and “Commercial cultivation of Cannabis.”
Among those ongoing efforts is a revision of the County’s Cash Management Policy by Lake County Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund. Those revisions are expected to be considered by the Board of Supervisors shortly.
“When cannabis tax payments are due, we will be ready to receive them, whether by cash or check,” relates District 4 Supervisor, Tina Scott. “It is crucial to our Board that County government services are efficient and responsive to the needs of the community members we serve. Cannabis is no exception, and I am pleased by the tremendous work departments are undertaking to ensure we are ready.”
