A Message from the Assessor

May 28, 2013

Spokane County Residents,

Here we are again, another year behind us. The Spokane County Assessor’s Office will mail 205,052 valuation notices on May 31st. Notices will be mailed to all property owners with the exception of government exempt property that did not change value. Copies of the notices will be posted on the Assessor’s web site.

The format of the notice is different from previous mailings. This year the notice is not a post card and includes a Senior/Disabled Exemption attachment that can be mailed to the Assessor’s Office to request a Senior/ Disabled Exemption application.

The Assessor’s Office analyzed 5,499 residential sales to determine the level of assessment for the 2013 assessment year. Generally, real estate sales in 2012 determine property values for the 2013 assessment year which affect 2014 property taxes. The assessment date (appraisal date) is January 1, 2013.

Real estate activity is varied by location and is not uniform throughout the county. For this assessment year, 52,487 single family residences increased in value, 34,667 residential values did not change, and 42,201 residences decreased in value. Commercial and industrial property experienced significant increases in value based on factors that include location, property type, and income; however, like residential, some commercial values did not change and other values decreased.

A shift has occurred with respect to the total assessed value of the County which includes all municipalities. For the past three years the overall value has decreased. Last year the revaluation loss was $1.18 billion. For 2013, there is a revaluation gain of 351 million. New construction is totaled and added to the assessment roll in September.

Property tax amounts cannot be determined until levy rates are calculated in January of 2014. Levy rates are determined by the amount of spending by the various taxing districts which includes voted and non-voted spending. Last year 46.7% of levies were voter approved.

I am very proud of the accomplishments of my staff with respect to: increased productivity, accountability, equalization of parcels, sales tracking, and customer service.

Additional information about the assessment process and programs that the assessor administers can be found on this web site.

I look forward to another year of serving you.

Vicki Horton