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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2011)
Page 16 The INDEPENDENT, November 2, 2011 Property tax statements for Columbia County explained in detail From page 5 are analyzed using the recalcu- lated value, not the actual pre- vious year value. This means that the trend applied to the previous year value shown on the tax statement is not likely to equal this year’s value. Real market values of residential property located in Saint He- lens, Columbia City, and Ver- nonia (both city and rural) were recalculated this year. A recal- culation does not include a physical inspection of property, but is a computer assisted re- calculation of values by analyz- ing and using current market data and local cost modifiers. While this method does not identify properties that may have more or less than typical maintenance, it provides the most efficient and accurate method of valuing properties at 100% of real market value each year, between physical reappraisals. A reappraisal of the City of Rainier and the sur- rounding rural area was com- pleted for this year and the real market values in these areas will reflect any changes noted from the physical inspection by county appraisers. For market areas that have not yet been physically reap- praised and converted to recal- culation, the trend is applied to the actual previous year value. Reappraisal for the Clatskanie area and for personal property manufactured structures coun- tywide is scheduled for the 2012-13 tax year, Rural Saint Helens and Warren for the 2013-14 tax year, and the Scappoose area for the 2014- 15 tax year. In 2015-16, both commercial and industrial properties are scheduled for reappraisal. Real market values for com- mercial properties remained unchanged due to a lack of sales data. While many busi- nesses may be experiencing decreased income due to the economy, a review of market listings in Columbia County re- vealed over 90% of businesses listed for sale are asking a pur- chase price that is at or above the current real market values on the county assessment rolls. Due to the market decline and minimal new construction in the county, there is very little change in the total assessed value for most taxing districts. This will result in a minimal in- crease, and in some cases, a reduction in property tax rev- enue received by most taxing districts during the 2011-12 fis- cal year. A total of $55,789,038 in property taxes is being billed for the county, cities, schools and special districts. That amount is 3.74 percent more than was billed last year. In ad- dition, a total of $1,044,608 will be collected for such things as drainage district assessments and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire patrol special as- sessments. That amount is 5.5 percent higher than last year. Countywide, the market val- ue of all taxable property de- creased from $5.72 billion to $5.48 billion, a decrease of 4 percent. The total tax assessed value this year is $4,085,273, 311 or 2.30 percent higher than last year. See Property on page 22 Just for Fun Casey and Kyle by Will Robertson Solve this Sudoku Answer to October 19 Sudoku is on page 22 Ve t e ra n ’s Da y, N o v. 1 1 The hum- blest citi- zen of all the land, when clad in the ar- mor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. THOMAS JEFFERSON American politician (1860-1925)