Property Tax Facts

Did you know that you pay property tax to the San Benito County Water District? Look at your property tax bill. The item that reads SB WATER – SAN FELIPE goes directly to the San Benito County Water District. They ALSO get part of the one percent general county tax revenue. If you own urban property in San Benito County, you pay 90 percent of this tax. Agribusiness, which uses 80 percent of San Benito County water, pays a measly 10 percent of this tax. Why? Because of Proposition 13. Since agribusiness land stays in family trusts or corporations for generations, it never gets reassessed to its market value.

Robert Gilchrist Huenemann 2014