PORT ANGELES — A 1 percent property tax increase, as allowed by state law, has been unanimously approved by the Port Angeles City Council.
The council Tuesday approved the tax increase for next year.
City staff estimated the additional tax will bring in an additional $41,000 to city coffers compared with last year.
The vote followed the second of two public hearings on the property tax increase.
Port Angeles Mayor Cherie Kidd pointed out Tuesday that the city has not taken the allowed 1 percent increase in property taxes over the past two years.
“And now, it’s time for us to be fiscally responsible,” Kidd said.
Property taxes could decrease for some Port Angeles homeowners next year because the city has finished making payments on a bond that helped fund the city’s senior center, city officials said.
A resident with a home valued at $180,000, for example, would pay $500 in annual property taxes under the approved tax levy rate.
Last year, the same homeowner would have paid an additional $13 in property taxes to the city.
City Council members are expected to consider approval of the city’s 2013 budget after the last of three public hearings on the budget at their next council meeting.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Port Angeles City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
________
Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.