Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2000)
Page 12 The INDEPENDENT, November 1, 2000 Forest land and utilities increase in value From page 1 since the completion of the Fred Meyer retail complex south of town. County wide, total assessed value is $2,804,727,094 or 9.38 percent higher than last year. The $240 million-plus in crease is due to the three per cent increase allowed under Measure 50, new construction, a $41.50 million increase in utility value and a $64 million increase in the value of certain forest land. Taxing districts in the Ne halem Valley and Clatskanie will benefit the most from these value increases, particularly the increase in forest land val ues and steep increases in the value of PGE’s Beaver power generating facility Clatskanie and NW Natural’s new natural gas pipeline from Mist to Wash ington County. Rainier area taxing districts will again see revenues de crease due to a loss of nearly $16 million of utility value for the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant. A recent decision by the Oregon Public Utility Commis sion which prohibits PGE from including the cost of Trojan in the rates it charges, will likely mean the value of Trojan will drop to near zero for the 2001- 02 tax year. The plant’s current value is $227,025,300 with property taxes of $2,099,371. County wide, the market val ue of all taxable property in creased from $3.21 Billion to $3.50 Billion, an increase of 9.14 percent. Rural Clatskanie properties appreciated in value nine percent, but the value of most residential property in creased two-six percent. Despite the increases in market value, property taxes are based on assessed values limited by Ballot Measure 50. Measure 50, approved in May 1997, reduced assessed val ues for the 1997-98 tax year to the 1995-96 market value, less 10 percent. Each year after 1997-98, the assessed value is limited to a 3 percent increase, unless the property is im proved, subdivided, re-zoned or disqualified from special as sessment or exemption. The first payment of the tax bill is due by November 15 with at least one third of the amount due at that time. The second and third installments are due by February 15 and May 15, however, the County does not send out statements for the February and May payments. A three percent discount is applied if the entire amount due is paid by November 15. If two thirds of the bill is paid by November 15, a two percent discount of the amount paid will be allowed. Payments can be made at any branch of the St. Helens Federal Community Credit Union, all branches of Western Bank and the St. Helens branch of Bank of the West. However, if taxes are owed from previous years, payment cannot be taken by the banks. Paving of the Banks-Vernonia Linear Park extension from Anderson Park to Lake Vernonia went quickly and smoothly as the contractor, Chief Excavation, Inc., was able to take advantage of nearly perfect weather in late October. Trucks backed down the trail from the junction at the transfer sta tion with each load of asphalt that was delivered. Property taxes may be appealed Property owners may appeal the value of their prop erty, as in prior years. However, if the appeal results in a lower market value, there would be a reduction in the taxes due only if the market value falls below the as sessed value. The deadline for filing an appeal is January 2, 2001. Appeal forms are available from the offices of the county clerk or the county assessor. / Sunnyside Cafe Sunday Breakfast Buffet $795, 12/under • No lunch served on Sundays. Lunch & Breakfast Specials M-Sat. ORDERS TO GO: 50 3-429-4810 Mon-Sat 5-2, Sun 7-2 • 58360 Nehalem Hwy. S„ Vernonia - S cappoose S and & G ravel • Crushed Rock • Fill • Sand -X Main Ofc: 503-543-8821 Orders/Dispatch: 5 0 3 -3 9 7 -7 8 6 1 Serving Columbia County since 1940 Monday thru Friday 7:30 am - 4 pm ^Jhe^J4air Parlour rongressman Wu has fought for common sense solutions to the challenges facing Oregon families. David Wu has a strong record in support of: Holiday Special - Nov. 2-30 10% Off Perms & Color Quality Public Education For Appointment Call: 503 429-8484 Protecting Social Security & Medicare The H air Parlour w ould like to welcome Meaningful HMO Reform H airstylist Darlene Love a n d Jessica Weller, recent N ail Tech graduate o f Beaverton School o f Beauty. r k — N ew B u lb s in T a n n in g Bed — W atch fo r T a n n in g P ackage S pecial C o m in g N e x t M o n th ! 712 Bridge Street, Vernonia 1 à Affordable Prescription Drugs Clean Air and Water Endorsed by T h e O reg o n ian D aily A storian B eav erto n Valley T im es M cM innville N ew s Register Forest Grove N ew s-T im es L ake O sw eg o R eview N e w b e rg G raphic W illam ette W eek T u alatin T im es T ig a rd T im e s D A V ID w t_ > Authorized and paid for by David Wu for Congress ww w . w u *orco ng re ss.com Send in Your Ballot T o d a y------- ---------------- Re-elect D avid Wu
