News Release
June 22, 2004

Assessor Announces Review Complete, Real Property Assessment Value Change Notices Go to 95,000 - Completing his annual review to keep real property assessed values closely aligned with market value, Kitsap County Assessor Jim Avery is this week sending 95,000 change of value notices out to Kitsap County property owners.

As part of each year’s assessment process, the Assessor’s Office reviews property sales from the previous year and compares them to assessed values. Adjustments are then “globally” applied by neighborhood, when necessary. In 2003, more than 8,000 properties were sold. Based on those actual sale prices, owners throughout the county can expect to see an approximately 10 to 13 percent increase to their assessed valuations when they receive their change of value notification next week. Sales used in the analysis this year are available for review at www.kitsapgov.com/assr, or can be requested by calling (360) 337-7160.

In order to insure the quality of the data on each of 112,500 county properties, one-sixth of all the county properties are physically inspected each year. Changes in condition, changes in view and additional improvements, which can affect value, are often found during this inspection. An appraiser visited all properties in: Illahee, the fairgrounds area, Tracyton, central Port Orchard, Gorst, Sunnyslope and McCormick Woods last year.

When evaluating the impact of any increase in value, property owners must be mindful that actual property tax bills will almost always increase at a much lower rate than the value increase percentage. Initiative 747, approved by voters in 2001, limits to one percent the authority for a taxing district to assess annual increases to their property tax collections. When the district valuation increase exceeds one percent, the district levy rates are reduced accordingly and individual property tax increases are minimized.

Property taxpayers who are more than 61 years of age or fully disabled and making a family income under $35,000, may be eligible for an exemption of all or a portion of their property tax. Persons who meet these criteria are urged to contact the county Assessor’s Office at (360) 337-4904. Information about other questions can be answered by calling 337-7160 or through an email sent to assessor@co.kitsap.wa.us. Property valuation information can also be found at the county Web site at www.kitsapgov.com.