By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – Property taxes for residents of Port Angeles will likely be going up slightly in 2023.
On Tuesday, the City Council will vote on the tax levy for next year’s budget. Staff have proposed raising property taxes by 1%, as allowed by state law.
That 1% will raise about $50,000. Council will also discuss and vote on another increase to property taxes based on a little-used option, as explained this week by Mayor Kate Dexter on Newsradio KONP’s “Todd Ortloff Show”.
“So, we are looking at passing legislatively an additional 10 cents per every $1,000 of assessed value, for the fireman’s pension. That is a levy amount that we’re already allowed. That would allow us, based on estimates, to bring in about another $245.000.”
Dexter says the option is the result of a holdover from a different era that is still a responsibility the City must honor.
“My understanding is that it is an amount that we can take because we are participants in the firefighter’s pension. And there are some real expenses associated with that, which is, you know, we want to take care of people. That was a time that we don’t live in anymore, where you got a nice pension, with retirement benefits, health benefits, all of those things. And so, it’s a line item. We have to pay it.”
Dexter said she understands that raising taxes is not a popular thing to do, but she says the cost of running a city, like everything else, is going up with inflation, .
“It’s a tricky place to be. Every dollar matters to people these days. We are all city residents as well, and know that the cost of living is going up and wages aren’t keeping up as much. We need to be responsible about it, and we need to have a balanced budget. And so, I will be voting to support that, and I’m a homeowner in town, so I know it will impact me. But I think it’s a small amount to pay to help us be able to continue to do good work. And I think we heard a lot from people during the campaign that they would like us to do more. So, you know, we’ll start with this and go from there.”