County Leaders Advocate for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Secure Rural Schools

Meetings on Capitol Hill, public event underscore intergovernmental partnership to support public lands counties

WASHINGTON – County leaders from more than 40 public lands counties in 15 states convene this week for the annual National Association of Counties (NACo) Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Fly-in. In meetings with intergovernmental partners at federal agencies and in Congress, participants are advocating for full PILT funding and speedy reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which together support critical infrastructure in America’s public lands counties.  

Each year PILT payments are issued to over 1,850 counties in 49 states – roughly 62% of all counties. These resources offset lost property tax revenue from non-taxable federal public lands within county borders. Full funding for PILT supports emergency response, transportation infrastructure, education and more, including provision of services on federally owned land.  

“Even though they are not able to collect property taxes on federal land, county governments must still provide essential services for both residents and visitors, from road and bridge maintenance, to law enforcement and emergency services, to solid waste disposal,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “Given how essential these funds are for sustaining county responsibilities, counties are asking for full funding of the PILT program, and for that program’s authorization to be made permanent.” 

The PILT program complements the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, created in 2000 to offset rural counties’ revenue losses from declining federal timber harvests. In 2023, SRS delivered $232 million to roughly 700 counties, but with reauthorization now lapsed, many face severe budget shortfalls. 

“Together, PILT and SRS represent crucial resources for ensuring the financial stability of America’s public lands counties,” said Chase. “Swift reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools and full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes will ensure counties are able to continue providing the services we are mandated to provide on all land within our borders – including federally owned land.” 

In addition to over 80 meetings with federal officials and congressional offices, county leaders in Washington for the fly-in will also participate in a forum on oil, gas and timber revenue sharing programs, hosted by NACo’s National Center for Public Lands Counties (NCPLC). The forum features remarks by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz, and speakers from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The forum recognizes the interest among local governments in federal revenue sharing as a solution to offset the cost of maintaining infrastructure and providing essential services. 

For more information about PILT, click here. For more information about SRS, click here. For more information about the NCPLC, click here.