Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, November 2, 2011 Page 13 County explains 2011 property taxes Lap warmers now on special at Approximately 188,000 pro- perty tax statements will be mailed to Washington County property owners by October 25. In the weeks that follow, staff in the County’s Depart- ment of Assessment & Taxation will assist the public with a vari- ety of inquiries, including how property tax bills are deter- mined, what local services are paid for and what the options are for an appeal. Property Taxes in Oregon pay for local services. This year the average property tax dollar in Washington County breaks down in the following manner: • 18 cents for County gov- ernment services (Public safe- ty, road improvements, libra- ries, elections, public health, etc.) • 32 cents for neighborhood services provided by cities and special districts (police, fire protection, parks and water, Ur- ban Road Maintenance Dis- trict, Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District and Urban Renewal Projects) • 47 cents for Education (K- 12, Portland Community Col- lege, Education Service Dis- trict) • 3 cents for Regional Ser- vices provided by Metro, Tri- Met and Port of Portland. Tax statements reflect the amount of tax paid to each tax- ing district that provides service in the area where the property is located. Tax rates vary based on the unique mix of taxing dis- tricts in a given location called a tax code area. There are 279 separate tax code areas in Washington County this year. This year’s property tax statements account for a total of $801 million, which will pay for the services mentioned above. These services are pro- vided by 49 local taxing dis- tricts (cities, county, special districts, schools, regional gov- ernments) throughout the County. This is an increase of about 2.28 percent or $17.9 million compared to last year. The increase in taxes is due to several factors, including the 3 percent increase in assessed value on most properties, addi- tional value from new construc- tion activity and new or in- creased taxing district levies. The most common question taxpayers have is, “Why did my taxes go up when my market value went down?” In most cases your tax state- ment includes two values: the Real Market Value and As- sessed Value (which is used to calculate your tax bill). The Real Market Value rep- resents the market value of your property as of the assess- ment date of January 1, 2011. It is important to understand that your property taxes are based on your Assessed Value, not market value. Therefore, a decline in the market value does not automatically reduce your property taxes. Another reason why your tax bill may have increased is be- cause the tax bill is calculated taking “Assessed Value times a rate.” As voters approve tax measures the tax rate increas- es and then the tax bill increas- Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter es. For more information, refer to Publications / A&T Brochure on our website or call 503-846- 8826. There are new Levies or Bonds approved or reautho- rized by the voters that will be reflected in this year’s tax bill. The majority of taxpayers, ap- proximately 156,000 accounts, will receive tax statements that have increased when com- pared with last year. Approxi- mately 149,000 accounts will have tax increases between 0 and 5 percent, and 7,000 ac- counts increase over 5 percent. Additionally, approximately 26,000 taxpayer accounts will reflect a tax decrease. The ma- jority of these reductions are due primarily to local option levies expiring, compression, or the taxing districts levying a lesser amount. Brrrr…the weather is getting chilly! It’s time to sit next to the fire and sip hot chocolate. Or better yet, adopt a lap warmer. Cats and kittens are on special through November 18 at the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter in Hillsboro. “If you think that it’s too late in the year to adopt a cuddly lit- tle kitten, you’re in for a happy surprise,” says Deborah Wood, manager of Animal Services for Washington County. “The last two years we’ve had extremely long kitten sea- sons. We just keep getting kit- tens…and kittens…and kit- tens…and kittens. We have a lot of warm, furry lap warmers looking for great homes,” says Wood. For those who prefer a gor- geous adult cat, the shelter is bursting at the seams with choices. “Long-haired, short- haired, active, mellow, male, female – take your pick,” says Wood. The summer kitten season adoption prices are still in ef- fect. “Adult cats are only $10. Kittens are $80 for the first kit- ten, half-off for a second kit- ten,” says Wood. Values and Appeals The tax statement includes a section on current and prior- year values. Taxpayers con- cerned that their Assessed Val- ue or Real Market Value is too high should call the Appraisal Division at 503-846-8826 to discuss the basis for their prop- erty’s appraisal. See Property on page 14 All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up-to- date on shots, and test nega- tive for major cat diseases (FIV and FeLV). Washington County area veterinarians will provide a free introductory check-up for pets adopted from the shelter, as well. “The total value of these services is about $250,” says Wood. Adoption hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The shelter is closed on Sun- days. It is located at 1901 SE 24th Avenue in Hillsboro, just in front of Lowe’s on Tualatin Val- ley Highway. The phone num- ber is 503-846-7041. Kitten Food Donations Wel- come: “All our animals are fed by donations from our gener- ous community,” says Wood. “We aren’t in a crisis yet, but donations of kitten food would help to make sure the cup- boards stay full.” To see adoptable animals and learn more about the shel- ter: www.WashingtonCounty Pets.com. WANT SOMETHING DEPENDABLE? WE HAVE IT! Buy a Stihl MS 290 Chain Saw and get a Stihl Carrying Case for Free*. MS 290, our most popular model. Designed for rugged farm use. Power through outdoor clutter with the BG 55 STIHL HomeScaper Series™ handheld blower. This gas leaf blower quickly clears leaves and grass clip- pings from driveways and sidewalks. *$39. 95 value. Offer ends Nov. 12. Receive $2 off any large Pizza. $ 2 Off 00 Expires 11-30-11. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated. Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Receive $1 off any medium Pizza. $1 Off 00 Expires 11-30-11. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated. Stihl BG 55 $ Handheld Blower Stihl MS 290 Chain Saw 95 149 Electric Blowers starting at $99 with 20” bar 95 PRECISION OUTD OOR POWER EQUIPMENT Banks Hardware 503-324-5221 • 150 N. Main St., Banks $ 399 95 • Mon - Fri 8am to 6pm • Saturday 8am to 5pm • Sunday 10am to 4pm