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Cost of Community Services Studies: Cost of Community Services studies are a tool that was developed by the American Farmland Trust to fairly compare the costs and revenues to a community for land in agricultural, commercial, and residential use. Across the country, these studies have generally shown that farmland "pays for itself," i.e. farmland takes in more tax revenue than it costs the community in services. Residential development, by contrast, usually costs more in services than residents pay in taxes. This trend held true for a study conducted in three central Iowa communities as well. The results show that "On average, . . . while residential development costs $1.13 for every dollar that it brings in, commercial costs $0.65 and farmland costs $0.91 for every dollar of revenue." For full text of the study, click here To see a study with similar results conducted in Johnson County, click here For further information about the American Farmland Trust method for Cost of Community Services studies, click here |