Snohomish County taxpayers are scheduled to see something new in their property assessments next year when the assessor switches to annual re-evaluations instead of reviews on a four-year cycle.
Beforehand, county voters Nov. 4 will pick the person who will guide the office through that historic change.
The choices are Cindy Portmann, 47, of Snohomish, the chief deputy in the assessor’s office for the last nine years, and Stuart Stavig, 46, of Marysville, a project manager for a national accounting firm. Both are making their first try at elected office.
Outgoing Assessor Gail Rauch can’t run again because of county term limits. The job pays $86,698 a year.
Until now, only one-fourth of the county has been re-evaluated in a given year, something that has often led to sticker shock for the quarter of taxpayers who get new valuations.
With property values escalating in recent years, it’s not unusual to see a 40 percent boost in valuation over a four-year period, Portmann said.
"It’s been difficult for taxpayers to predict what their taxes will be," she added.
Portmann is convinced she will be able to make the switch to annual valuations, but Stavig is skeptical.
"How are they going to get it all done and done right?" Stavig asked. A lot of changes have to be made. "It can’t be business as usual."
He said he would review the process before making a final decision to abandon the four-year cycle.
Snohomish County is the last of the larger counties in the state to go to the annual valuation, Portmann said.
Under the new system, only about one property in six will be physically visited each year. Statistical information will be applied to set the value of the rest.
Besides adding predictability, the change to annual valuations is likely to improve taxpayers’ understanding of the system and increase uniformity, she said.
Her staff is ready, Portmann said. "I have all the confidence in them."
State law requires the assessor to put a true and fair market value on property. Nonetheless, Stavig is miffed by increases he sees and what he says are "unjustified and excessive" tax increases.
The taxes are out of the assessor’s control, Portmann argues. A substantial amount of property owners’ taxes, up to 40 percent, are because of approval of local bonds or levies by voters. Within the last two decades, the voted levies have increased substantially more than tax increases imposed by governments or districts.
Deciding what someone’s tax will be "is not in our authority," Portmann said.
Stavig said he understands that, but his complaints about property tax increases are just one way of calling attention to the problem.
It’s a nonpartisan office, but each candidate claims support from political parties, Stavig from the Republicans, and Portmann from the Democrats.
As chief deputy, Portmann has managed internal projects, such as updating software and switching to hand-held computers for fieldwork to increase efficiency. She also oversaw putting assessor data on the Internet for easier public accessibility, and has handled such things as contract negotiations and working with other public officials.
Stavig works in Lynnwood for a company that specializes in auditing, cost accounting and regulatory compliance for companies involved in health care.
"My work experience as an accountant, auditor and manager qualify me "to manage the office’s budget and to "keep an eye out for efficiency and production," he said.
Portmann said people should vote for her because: "I’m the more-qualified person for the job. I enjoy making a difference for the citizens. It’s not an easy job, but I enjoy the challenge."
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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