PRESS RELEASE
June 19, 2002

This year’s residential and commercial revaluation has been completed. Property owners will begin receiving postcard revaluation notices on June 22nd. The new value represents the assessor’s determination of market value as of January 1, 2002. This value will be the basis for the property tax distribution throughout the county in 2003. New this year on the Assessor’s web site (http://kitsapgov.com/assr) is a neighborhood by neighborhood listing of all the 2001 property sales used to establish new assessed values.

Residential and commercial properties in the Bainbridge, Suquamish, and Indianola areas were physically inspected during this year’s revaluation. Properties must be physically observed at least once every six years to add any new construction not added during the assessor’s annual “new construction” phase (June-September) and to recognize condition or other attributes which may have changed. Typical/average residential assessed value changes are summarized by neighborhood on the assessor’s web site and on the other attached file.

Also new this year is an extended appeal period. The Board of County Commissioners has approved a 60-day (previously 30 days) window of opportunity to petition the County Board of Equalization. Property owners who disagree with the Assessor’s market value determination are encouraged to contact the Assessor at 337-7160 or by email at assessor@co.kitap.wa.us to ensure that all property characteristics are accurately recorded on the assessor database prior to filing a formal appeal.