Regarding Monday’s front page article, “Literally, no room for a change on fire district’s tax bills”: I have to take issue with the article’s statement “that means owners of commercial buildings and apartment complexes would pay more than single-family homeowners.” Well, they already pay more.
The current property tax system in Snohomish County is based on “assessed value.” For example, a million-dollar apartment complex pays five times the taxes of a single-family home valued at $200,000.
The current system is fair and equitable, favoring neither homeowners nor renters.
This new scheme District 1 Fire Chief Ed Widdis is proposing reminds me of the Metropolitan Parks District, recently repudiated by 70 percent of the Snohomish electorate. Proponents cited Tacoma and Seattle as adopting the model. Snohomish County is not Pierce or King County.
It is ironic there is no room on Kirke Sievers’ tax form for this proposed “benefit” scheme.
In my opinion, this is just another stealth attempt to increase overall property tax revenue by raising the burden on renters.
Property taxes already are too high in Snohomish County. Enough is enough. The taxing districts need to live within their means. Chief Widdis’ scheme should be stopped in its tracks — DOA.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
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