PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners have voted to place a levy lid lift on the Nov. 4 ballot, asking voters to approve an increase in property taxes.
The one-year, permanent measure would raise the county’s levy rate from 76 cents to up to 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The current maximum allowed by law is $1.80.
Commissioners Mark Ozias and Randy Johnson approved the proposal in a 2-0 vote during a special meeting Monday. Commissioner Mike French was absent.
County Administrator Todd Mielke said the owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $8 more per month, or $95 annually. The county has been operating below its past levy rate of $1.44 from a decade ago.
If approved, officials say the levy would help reduce projected budget deficits of almost $4 million next year, about $6 and a half million in 2027 and $8 million in 2028.
The county will seek volunteers to write official statements for and against the measure for the voter pamphlet.