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SAN JUAN ISLAND ASSESSMENTS |
Related storiesPlanning Dept. changes; will affect service SAN JUAN ISLANDER EDITORIAL: Property tax per capita statistic used to confuse SAN JUAN ISLANDER EDITORIAL: What kind of community are you willing to pay for? Comparison of assessed valuations and total tax collected in all 39 counties House prices in other counties paying $2484 in taxes (tax for $450K house in SJC in 2008) Tax revenue and assessed property value in each county Assessor restructures reassessment cycle | |
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Assessor Restructures Reassessment Cycleposted 07/23/2009
"So if he cuts off the rolls right now, that will give him some time to carry those parcels forward to a fourth year without having to worry about compliance issues with the state," Cavazos explained to the county Council earlier this month. Zalmanek told the Council that following the DOR's recommendation will enable him to inspect and appraise new construction – adding property value that is not currently on the tax rolls – which could produce thousands of dollars of new revenue. Taxes from new construction is the only way to increase the tax base. Adding the value of new construction to the rolls in 2007 produced more than $64,000 in revenue to the County's operating budget and contributed a total of more nearly $200,000 to the road fund and other taxing districts within the County, and about $250,000 to the state. While construction activity has dropped off sharply this year, Zalmanek said the impact on new construction revenue will be somewhat mitigated because his appraisers will be inspecting and appraising properties that were permitted as much as 30 months ago, before the economic downturn. "What we will need is the funding that will allow us to travel to Orcas, Lopez and some of the outer islands to appraise the new construction," Zalmanek said. He added that he also needed some additional training for his staff and for his office administrator to be authorized to work five hours per day instead of four. Zalmanek advised that all of the additional expenses could be covered if the Council does not move ahead with a proposed $21,000 cut to the Assessor's budget that the Council postponed after his presentation on July 1. The council are adding hours to his office administrative assistant's position in the proposed "Phase II" cutbacks to the 2009 budget. Adopting a four-year revaluation cycle means approximately 2,000 of the 6,000 properties originally scheduled for re-appraisal in 2009 will be postponed until 2010. Total property tax revenue will not be reduced by the postponed re-appraisals because of the way the property tax rate is calculated. The re-appraisals figure out how the pie is being sliced not how big the pie is. The Assessor's office will return to a three-year cycle in 2011, and adopt an annual revaluation program beginning in 2014, as required by the state. Annual revaluations will be done based on market factors, with physical inspections done at least once every six years. Assessor asks Dept. of Revenue to require county to adequately fund his dept.By Sharon Kivisto posted 07/02/2009 Zalmanek told the council his department is unable to complete its required duties with the allocated funding. A high number of appeals, a switchover to a new computer program which is replacing the 27-year-old one have compounded the problem. The switch was necessary because support would no longer be provided beyond 2009. Grants are paying for the replacement. Zalmanek has told the council he does not have enough staff to appraise new construction. While the overall amount of property tax collected can increase only 1 percent a year - new construction can push up the total amount collected higher than 1 percent. In other words, new construction actually increases the tax base. Not appraising new construction affects the state, county and all the junior taxing districts (libraries, EMS, fire departments, etc.) The appraisals cannot be made by looking at the permit. State law requires an appraiser to do an onsite appraisal. In order to carry out the duties of his office, Zalmanek contacted the Dept. of Revenue. Under state law, an appraiser classification plan can be set up. A three-member committee - one each from the DOR, the county Council and the Assessor's office would "by unanimous vote only, determine the required number of certified appraiser positions and their salaries necessary to enable the assessor to carry out the requirements relating to revaluation of property in chapter 84.41.RCW. Each county legislative authority to which such a budget estimate is submitted shall allow sufficient funds for such positions. After listening to Zalmanek's presentation during the public hearing, the council decided not to cut $21,313 from the assessor's budget for now. County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord was not in attendance at the budget public hearing, but had recommended a committee be formed if there is a dispute about the Assessor office staffing levels. |
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