PORT TOWNSEND — With Port Townsend properties reassessed last year for this year’s property taxes, residents living within the city limit can expect to pay about 30 percent more on average than last year.
That’s mainly because of soaring property values.
Jefferson County Assessor Jack Westerman said the average property value within the Port Townsend city limit increased by about 60 percent, with some properties doubling or even tripling in value.
“This is certainly a more dramatic increase than in the past,” the veteran assessor said.
“If your assessed value went up by 60 percent, you can expect taxes to go up by about half that.”
Property tax bills go into the mail across the county today.
Although the 2006 tax rate for Port Townsend has decreased from $10.81 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2005 to $8.81 this year for an 18.5 percent decrease, tax payments are going up because of the rising property values.
A Port Townsend resident with a home valued at $200,000 last year paid about $2,162 in property taxes.
A 60 percent increased assessment would value the same property at about $320,000.
