Those opening up their property tax statements mailed on Valentine’s Day might have their heart sink as property tax increases resulting from a change in school funding will affect the vast majority of Clark County property owners.
That’s what the Board of Clark County Councilors heard Feb. 13 as Clark County Assessor Peter Van Nortwick addressed the council regarding what changes will be for this year’s tax payments.
“Every tax district in Clark County is having a tax rate increase,” Van Nortwick said, explaining that across the county increases ranged from 42 cents per $1,000 to $2.76 per $1,000.
“Those are significant tax increases,” Van Nortwick said, mentioning that even members of his staff had spoken of $1,100 to $1,200 increases in their annual bill.
The largest increase for the majority of taxing districts came from school funding that resulted from legislation last year aiming to fully fund basic K-12 education. While last year the state rate was $1.98 per $1,000 of assessed value, this year taxpayers will be paying $2.89 per $1,000 in Clark County.
Van Nortwick said the $2.89 number was a result of the $2.70 per $1,000 baseline as approved by the Legislature, adjusted by a ratio of what a property sold for compared to its assessed value.
This increase of 91 cents per $1,000 would affect the vast majority of property taxpayers — only those seniors or disabled persons who are eligible for an exemption would not see the rise.
The biggest increase in tax rates was in northeast Clark County, which apart from the school funding rise, Van Nortwick said it was due to a $1.35 per $1,000 EMS levy increase for emergency services in the region. Inside the town of Yacolt, the increase was slightly less as the town approved a $1.24 per $1,000 increase.
Fire district levy increases in the county included a 31-cent increase in the levy rate for Fire District 10, whereas Fire District 3 had an increase of 13 cents. Clark County Fire and rescue had a 9-cent increase on their levy, as well.
Apart from Northeast County, the Ridgefield School District is also seeing a large increase in its property taxes this year as part of the passed 2017 capital facilities bond by the Legislature, adding 91 cents to the millage rate. Battle Ground School District had a smaller increase of 19 cents per $1,000 for its maintenance and operations levy.
School levies like the one approved by voters in Battle Ground are set to be capped in 2019 to $1.50 of assessed value, which in some cases would drop from the 2018 rate — in other cases possibly dropping to below the 2017 rate.
Van Nortwick brought up the possibility of a change in the maximum local levy, from the $1.50 per $1,000 found in last year’s legislation to $2.31 at the suggestion of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. With that possible change an uncertainty, Van Nortwick said that as it stands local levy rates would drop.
Though those who pay property tax directly will see the effect this month, those paying the tax through an escrow account, such as when in a mortgage, might be in for a surprise down the line. Those accounts are typically adjusted around June, Van Nortwick said, which would lead to a deficit in their accounts when the adjustment came through.
As there are several variables regarding property tax, Educational Service District 112, who Van Nortwick said his department has been working very closely with in order to figure out tax changes, has put together a website with more information regarding the school funding part of the change, available at web3.esd112.org/schooltax.
