Sound Politics: Pork of Seattle

November 21, 2006

Pork of Seattle

The Port of Seattle today increased its property tax by 9%. Commission President Pat Davis had the chutzpah to call this a "decrease" :

The Port's tax levy rate will decrease by a small percentage from the rate in 2006. Taxes in 2006 were based on 23.33 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In 2007, the rate will be 23.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Port commissioners, who adopted the 2007 budget today, said they hope to make additional reductions in future years.

The total amount the tax levy will be $68.8 million, an increase in dollar amount of $6.1 million over 2006. The increase in dollar amount is attributable to an increased in overall assessed valuation in King County, despite the decrease in the property tax rate.

"The decrease in the levy rate shows fiscal restraint ... Davis said

Rate, schmate. Your taxes just went up.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 21, 2006 08:03 PM | Email This

Comments

1. This is the problem with the whole taxation system in the state. The elected officials claim to reduce taxes when they relax the tax rate or don't raise it as much as the law allows when in the reality they know full well given the higher assessments they can get more money from the taxpayers without looking too bad.

But in the case of the Port Commissioners, if I recall correctly seveal of them ran on a promise last year to reduce the port taxes because they were too high. It seems Mr. Hara and company have forgotten their campaign promises. What a surprise!

Posted by: Orin Wells on November 21, 2006 10:03 PM

2. Hi, there were 2 votes against the budget: Lloyd Hara and Alec Fisken. They have been fiscal watchdogs! The previous post criticized Lloyd. Actually there are three others who deserve some very tough questions. Some of those three have indeed made assertions of "the port collects too much tax and I'm in favor of cutting the tax."

A flat rate of tax per thousand means that if one's assessment takes a huge jump, say 20%, then one's port tax also takes that same huge jump.

Posted by: Stuart Jenner on November 21, 2006 11:30 PM

3. getting our money's worth? the same place that gave a raise to an outgoing chief? and his performance record justifying >4-600k salary? safer from terror? more frieght moving? super- effficient? growth? compared to what? Port of Topeka, KS? wait--forgot--it must be 'for the children' somehow.

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on November 22, 2006 06:11 AM