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Tax bills on the rise for Columbia County property owners
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COLUMBIA COUNTY — Property owners, be on the lookout for your 2009-2010 property tax statements, which will soon be in the mail.
Although residential property owners will see a decrease in the real market value of their property, from seven to 16 percent, depending on location, Columbia County Assessor Sue Poling said that tax payers would not see a decrease in their bills.
For a noticeable decrease to occur, the average real market value of most residential properties would have to fall at least 30 percent, Poling said.
“I sure don’t expect to see that decline.” she said. “A decline like that would be awful.”
Real market values of residential property inside the city limits of St. Helens and Columbia City were recalculated this year, and property owners in these areas will not see the same percentage difference in real market values among neighbors. A recalculation does not include a physical inspection of property, Poling explained, but rather is a computer assisted recalculation of values by analyzing and using current market data and local cost modifiers.
While this method does not identify properties that may have more or less than typical maintenance, it provides the most efficient and accurate method of valuing properties at 100 percent of real market value each year between physical reappraisals.
Bonds, levies and other assessments affect property taxes
According to Poling, most property owners can expect an annual increase in their property tax bill of three percent, but other factors can have an affect on property taxes: local option and bond levies.
In Scappoose, voters in the school district approved $33,300,000 in general obligation bonds for upgrades, expansion and construction of schools.
Voters in Portland Community College’s district approved $374,000 in general obligation bonds to expand, modernize and construct facilities, and upgrade technology.
The Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District will also levy an operating tax of
$.10/$1,000 in assessed value as approved by voters in Nov. 2008.
Although properties have had no physical changes in the past year, these bonds and levies could cause changes. According to Poling, the owner of an average residential property in Clatskanie may only see a 2.5 percent increase in their tax bill, whereas the owner of an average residential property in Scappoose may see up to a 17 percent increase in their tax bill.
The amount of property taxes billed for the county, cities, schools and special districts has increased 7.83 percent above last year, for a total of $53,776,900.
A total of $990,131.54 will also be collected for drainage district assessments and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire patrol special assessments. That represents a decrease of 11 percent from the 2007-2008 tax bills.
County wide, the market value of all taxable property decreased 21 percent, from $7.25 billion to $5.72 billion. This decrease reflects the decline in residential real market values as well as reductions in large industrial real market values. The total tax assessed value this year is $3,993,491,030 or 3.30 percent higher than last year.
First payment due next month
The first payment of the tax bill is due by Nov. 16, 2009. Mailed payments must be postmarked by Nov. 16. At least one third of the amount is due at that time. The second and third installments are due by February 16, 2010 and May 17, 2010, however Columbia County does not send out statements for the February or May due dates.
Property owners who pay the entire amount due by Nov. 16 will receive a three percent discount. If two thirds of the bill is paid by Nov. 16, a two percent discount of the amount paid will be allowed.
Taxpayers may use credit and debit cards to pay their tax bill, through the Point and Pay Website. Property Tax payments can be made with your credit and debit cards on-line at www.co.columbia.or.us, or by calling 1-866-587-4007. There is a 2.95 percent charge to use your credit or debit card.
Also, as in past years, arrangements have been made with local financial institutions to collect only the 2009-10 property taxes through Nov. 16, 2009 at the following authorized collectors: Bank of the West in St. Helens; Wauna Federal Credit Union branches in Clatskanie, St. Helens, and Vernonia; and all Columbia County branches of the St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union.
Property owners may appeal the value of their property as in past years. However, there would only be a reduction in the taxes due if the market value falls below the assessed value.
The deadline for filing an appeal is December 31, 2009. Appeal forms are available from the County Clerk or County Assessors Office.
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