KENNEWICK, Wash. – Homeowners in Benton County opened their mailboxes and saw something that took their breath away.
Benton County Assessor Bill Spencer said, “Quite simply the State of Washington requires us to be at 100 percent of market value as an assessment for property tax.”
The notice Benton County residents got a card in the mail from the assessor’s office saying property taxes will be going up by thousands of dollars in certain areas.
The annual notice was mailed earlier this month letting homeowners know their home value could be changing by 2024.
According to Spencer, while home values increase that doesn’t mean your property taxes will rise.
“If your property value increases that doesn’t necessarily mean your property taxes increase,” said Spencer. “There are occasions where your property taxes go down.”
A couple of homeowners who talked with NonStop Local said they got priced out of town because living in the Tri-Cities got too expensive for them. He just sold his house and is moving.
Shane Vacek is a homeowner and said he feels this isn’t the best time for property taxes to increase.
“The cost of everything already being so high, the prices on everything is just going up and our wages aren’t,” Vacek said.
According to Vacek, it’s hard for a single-income family to make it as it is. He said it’s a good thing that just because the value of your home increases doesn’t mean property taxes will.
“Property taxes are very high as it is,” said Vacek. “The value of the home going up is good for the person selling their home.”
Spencer said if you did see a rise in property value, the county wouldn’t be able to calculate how much more a month you’d pay until the budget is in place and they calculate the levies.
Spencer gave an example to NonStop Local according to last year’s tax rate of 9.86 percent.
If your property value rose $75,000 the new price would be $740 a year or $62 a month.
Spencer tells me during COVID the assessor’s office took a conservative approach to home values.
According to Spencer, these tax notifications people are receiving are due in 2024. He says as a taxpayer he was shocked as well.
Spencer said if you feel your value isn’t correct to give them a call so they can get the information correct and walk you through the process.
According to Spencer, the Assessor’s office offers a program for senior citizens and disabled peoples who might qualify for lower property tax costs. He said all you have to do is give them a call or visit their office to apply.
