Mason County Citizens Protest 2009 Tax Assessments

 

We the undersigned would like to point your attention to a pressing issue faced by many citizens of Mason County.

As you know, the struggling economy is making it harder for many people to meet their financial obligations. Mason County is no exception.

Tax Assessment letters have been arriving in mailboxes for the past several weeks with startling increases in assessed property values, leading some of us to lose sleep at night. These increases seem extraordinarily high in areas all over Mason County including Union, Hoodsport and Matlock. People are becoming increasingly concerned that they will not be able to survive when the new taxes become due.

What is particularly disturbing is the amount of increase many people are seeing - 40 to 65 percent and even higher on properties that have not undergone improvements. Not only are the increases disproportionate to the property values, but comparable properties are being assessed differently - some of these properties even side by side - seemingly without rhyme or reason or formula.

The situation has led many citizens to wonder what is going on in our Tax Assessment office!

Some have suggested that these 2009 assessments are based on 2008 property values, in which case we will be quite upside down for the next four years. If this is the case, it should be corrected to reflect the current market.

Let us remind you of a few important facts:

1. Many people living along Hood Canal and other areas are elderly and/or on fixed incomes.

2. Many do not qualify for tax exemptions.

3. Those who depend on Social Security will not be seeing a cost of living increase for the next two years.

4. We've seen our home values plummet and our 401ks dwindle away.

5. And many of us have lost our jobs.

Foreclosures and short sales have driven home values down, not up. How can property taxes be substantially increased when home values are falling and foreclosures are at a record high?
 
We are quite concerned for the livelihood of our little community.

There is a real possibility that folks who are unable to withstand these tax increases will be forced to move elsewhere, that is, if they can even sell their homes in this economy - and this will drive our foreclosure rates even higher. Of course, increased foreclosures are bad news for Mason County tax revenues.
 
We ask that you reevaluate these tax assessments and perhaps develop a formula that is more fair and equitable. We want you to consider a different approach to tax assessments, making it more affordable to the citizens of your county.
 
We would truly appreciate your taking these issues into immediate consideration.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and address our concerns.