Hearing on tax increase set for Dec. 7

Published 2:49 pm Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The public can weigh in on proposed property tax increases during public hearings set for 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7.

In 2016, the county wants to collect an additional $20,107 over this year’s take, spread among the entire base of Island County property taxpayers, in its current-expense levy. That represents a 0.25 percent increase over this year’s current-expense tax levy.

The county wants an additional $83,948 for its road levy and an additional $6,916 toward the Conservation Futures Fund. Each of those numbers represents a one percent increase over this year’s tax. In addition to those amounts, the county plans to collect tax on new construction.

The meeting will be held in the Commissioners Hearing Room, located downstairs in the Courthouse Annex Building, Room B102, 1 NE 6th Street in Coupeville.

The income levels determining senior and disabled exemptions from property tax for 2016 changed with the passage of SB 5186, but those eligible for the exemption will automatically be placed into the appropriate level, the county’s assessor said in a press release. For more information, visit www.islandcountyassessor.com/exemptions/seniordisabled-exemption/