Property values increase in all areas of county

Published 8:57 pm Friday, June 19, 2015

EVERETT — Assessment notices that hit the mail Friday showed rising property values in all areas of Snohomish County compared to last year.

The change was 7.5 percent countywide, with residential and commercial properties up 8.5 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.

“There was an increase in every area, some more than others,” assessor Cindy Portmann said.

The total value of assessed property in the county reached $100 billion this year, $7 billion higher than last year.

This is the third straight year of increases, following years of decline during the recession.

The figures reflect values as of Jan. 1, 2015. The county assessor and treasurer will use them to calculate and collect taxes in 2016.

Property owners have 60 days to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization if they believe the value for their home, business or land is off the mark.

“We always encourage people to contact us first,” Portmann said.

Property values in the Everett School District went up 7.4 percent.

The corresponding change for other larger school districts was 6.2 percent in Arlington, 8.4 percent in Edmonds, 8.7 percent in Lake Stevens, 5.4 percent in Marysville, 8.3 percent in Monroe, 6.7 percent in Mukilteo, 7.6 percent in Snohomish and 5.8 percent in Stanwood. In the Northshore School District, which includes Bothell and areas to the east, the change was 8.4 percent.

An increase in property value doesn’t automatically make taxes go up.

Calculations for next year’s taxes won’t take place until fire districts, schools and other local governments have passed their budgets in the fall. Voters also must decide bond and levy issues on the ballot this year.

In a change from years past, the Assessor’s Office mailed all of the notices at once. The office used to send assessment notices for condos in April followed by everything else in June.

The assessor’s staff plans to tally new construction values this summer and to mail those notices in September.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Questions?

Have questions about an assessed property value?

For houses and condos, call 425-388-6555.

For commercial properties, call 425-388-3390.

To appeal an assessed value, call the Board of Equalization at 425-388-3407 or 425-388-3859. Or go to the board’s website: tinyurl.com/CountyBofE.