If ever there was a greedy witch, Gary Bur, Island county chief appraiser absolutely deserves this uncoveted title.

He states" This kind of increase is to be expected". Really Mr Bur! You obviously have no problem with massive increases in property tax, but I imagine the folks on the Island (myself included) will have something to say about you, and all property tax hikes of this nature, come election time.

It appears Camano Island has felt the massive pinch of this appraiser, and the people on this island are not one bit happy.

Stanwood / Camano Island News has quite an article on Bur's excessive overreach, here is part of the article which can be seen is full in the most current issue of their newspaper, or at their webpage while this article is still current .

By RICK WOOD
Reporter
When Keith Novak opened his 2006 property assessment notice, he thought there had to be a mistake. "The value of my property had jumped up $266,000 since last year," said Novak. The assessed value of his property on Camano Island had nearly doubled. Novak is not alone. Island County property assessments notices were sent out last week and have caught many property owners by surprise. Many Camano Island residents have opened their mail to find enormous increases. One property owner saw the assessed value of her property jump from $682,268 to $1,092,165. The problem for some is the
possibility of no longer being able to afford a home they paid off years ago. "We're on a fixed income," said Novak, who is retired. "This might just price us out of our own home."

What prompted the changes? "The assessment amount is market driven," said Gary Bur, Island County chief appraiser. "This kind of increase is to be expected ." According to Bur, the 2006 valuations are based on sales from 2005. "We are always looking to the past for the assessment," said Bur.

Bur contends that this kind of increase occurs periodically. "It might level off and we might not see an increase for eight to ten years, or you might see another increase next year," said Bur. Other factors affect appraisals. "Interest rates were low in 2005," said Bur, which led to some property owners refinancing their mortgages. According to Bur, refinance appraisals can drive the assessed value up. Renovations, home additions or even landscaping can increase property values, according to the Island County Assessor's office. The fact that tax increases will come was no secret. Recently, Island County Treasurer Linda Riffe spoke at a town hall meeting on Camano Island and acknowledged the increases before notices were mailed. "People will be in for a surprise,"said Riffe. "It's going up significantly."

Yeh, it is fair to say people were surprised, but very very more fair to say people on this island are really really Pissed Off!

I suspect you will see the wrath of these citizens when Gary Bur runs for reelection, Hell No's to any new tax propositions, and Hell No's to the election of any officials that are unwilling to address solutions to such massive tax hikes.

Heads will be rolling on this one, I Hope it is Burs!