Keith M. Willnauer Whatcom County Assessor ASSESSOR’S OFFICE Keith M. Willnauer Whatcom County Assessor

THE ROLE OF THE OFFICE Provides uniformity and fairness in the distribution of property tax Appraises all properties as to their “true and fair market value” Maintains a listing and description of property accounts, maps, and ownership Provides taxpayer assistance

ON THE SCENE STRATEGIC BROAD TAX POLICY RELEVANCE TAX IMPACT SUBJECT AWARENESS DIOLOGUE FOR CLEARITY

DOES NOT Set or determine property tax policy Raise values to raise money or taxes Determine how much money is needed

BUDGET BASED PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM Dollars come first (pre-set). Assessed values distribute the individual taxpayer burdens of pre-set dollar tax amounts levied. Increased assessed values do not create additional tax revenue.

PROPERTY TAX BASICS The Property Tax Formula $ (Levy) _Budget_ = RATE TAX BASE

ASSESSED VALUATION /TAX DISTRIBUTION AUTHORIZED TAX AMOUNT __________ = RATE O o O O O O O o O (Tax Base) o O o o O O

3 REASONS TAXES INCREASE Taxing Districts increase their budgets, Non-Voter approved, (1% Limit or Banked Capacity). Voters authorize increases or new taxes. TAX BASE SHIFT

15 YR TAX INCREASE

LEVY YEAR IN REVIEW VOTER APPROVED INCREASES Whatcom Co EMS – New Levy $ 7,869,033 (7.87 Million) increase South Whatcom Fire District Bond $ 265,897 (10.60%) increase Fire District #8 – New Bond $ 360,650 (39.54%) increase (Bond) Bellingham School District #501 $ 8,257,479 (15.54%) increase (Bond)

LEVY YEAR IN REVIEW FISCAL RESTRAINT HIGHLIGHTS Birch Bay Park & Rec -2.40% Pt Roberts Park & Rec - .97% Blaine School Dist #503 -8.73% Cemetery Dist #7 -6.86%

MULTYEAR IN REVIEW MAJOR DISTRICT INCREASES Bellingham School District #501 $ 35,256,396 (35.25 Million) 134.82% Total-12.26% AnAvg increase City of Bellingham $ 10,161,998 (10.16% Million) 69.49% Total – 6.32% AnAvg increase State of Washington 19.39% Total – 1.76% AnAvg increase

PROPERTY TAX A CRISES and IN THE WAY POLITICALLY INCORRECT TAX BASE INFUSIONS OF DYNAMIC NEW GOVERNMENT REVENUE LIGHTENING ROD POLITICAL EXPOSURE MARKET VALUES MOVING

PROPERTY TAX WHAT’S SO GREAT CONTROLLABLE DEPENDABLE PROGRESSIVE SENSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE

3 REASONS TAXES INCREASE Taxing Districts increase their budgets, Non-Voter approved, (1% Limit or Banked Capacity). Voters authorize increases or new taxes. TAX BASE SHIFT

ASSAULT ON THE TAX BASE SOCIALLY / POLITICALLY CORRECT LAND USES ALTERNATIVE TAXES INTERFERENCE EXEMPTION EXPANSIONS LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS

IMPACT EXAMPLES Semiahamoo, Sudden Val, Hirst Non-Profits Senior Citizens, Disabled Tribal Fee and Trust Multi-family, Historical Property Low Income/Affordable Housing Cherry Point

CHERRY PT-NONRESIDENTIAL HEALTH IN OUR TAX BASE 1.8 BILLION in VALUE – 22 MILLION in TAX FRACTION of POTENTIAL TAX BASE SHIFT – $200 to $250 for 250K property

PROPERTY TAX BASICS The Property Tax Formula $ (Levy) _Budget_ = RATE TAX BASE

REVALUATION PROCESS Annual revaluation- every year Every six years – Physical inspct Ferndale-Lynden – N Mid County Establish a new 100% Market Value as of noon, Jan 1st 2017 Highest and Best Use Everything considered Required Change Notification

ASSESSOR’S WEB SITE. Order of Levy Tax Book ASSESSOR’S WEB SITE * Order of Levy Tax Book * Program Information - Exemptions - Appeals - Contacts / general information * PARCEL DATA SEARCH www.whatcomcounty.us