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Property tax increase deferred for 2016
11/25/2015 3:03:24 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor

It has become a late autumn tradition in Liberty Lake, right along with falling leaves and pre-Thanksgiving shopping, residents await word if property taxes will be altered for the upcoming year.

In 2010, the City Council hiked the fee up 3.1 percent, the second largest increase in Liberty Lake's short history. The rate of $1.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value – up from the originally proposed $1.68 – came about after council accessed a "banked" amount set aside from previous years when the tax had either been lowered or left alone.

With sales tax revenue impacted by the nationwide recession, the upturn in property tax for 2011 was justified as a counteractive move. A projected municipal deficit had already spurred talk of significant cutbacks at the library and Trailhead Golf Course.

Last year, council voted 6-1 to raise the rate 1 percent for 2015, a move that several around the dais supported by referring to the city's ongoing level of reliable services as well as capital projects either completed or on the docket. At the time, Council Member Odin Langford referred to the property tax level and corresponding benefits as "a great deal."

At Tuesday's council meeting – rescheduled from Nov. 17 due to the windstorm – the debate over the rate again took center stage. Finance Director R.J. Stevenson, who recommended a 1 percent increase, reminded council members that the overall uptick in assessed property value would mean a lower rate even with an additional 1 percent. In 2015, Liberty Lake checked in with $1.196 billion in estimated property value, while the number is charted at $1.259 billion for 2016. The rate stood at just over $1.76 per $1,000 in 2015. 

Stevenson provided an illustration of the 1 percent increase by pointing to five parcels on the same block within city limits. A home valued at $267,600 for 2016 – up from $253,800 this year – would pay $448.25 next year in property tax with no rate hike. A 1-percent difference would mean a payment of $452.73 for the homeowner, up from $447.49 in 2015. 

A home rising in value from $215,200 this year to $223,000 in 2016 would see a decrease in property tax despite a 1-percent shift. The amount would ring in at $377.28 compared to $379.44 this year. 

The numbers were not sold on Mayor Pro Tem Cris Kaminskas, who opposed the 1 percent change mainly due to the city's robust reserves. 

"I cannot in good conscience support this increase when I consider our ending fund balance of over $2 million," she said.

Council Member Dan Dunne countered, saying the hike was "more about sustaining the property tax rate from the previous years as opposed to increasing it." 

In referring to the importance of property tax in funding the police department and library, Dunne added that revenue has historically been "inelastic" when compared to the volatility of sales tax. Council Member Bob Moore, who spoke out against the 1 percent adjustment, said property tax has not been without its own elastic features related to the upsurge in assessed value.

When the vote was finally called on the resolution, Dunne and Council Member Keith Kopelson cast their support for the increase. Kaminskas and Moore were in opposition. The 2-2 tie – Langford, Hugh Severs and Shane Brickner missed the meeting with excused absences – meant the rate will not change for 2016. By statute, Mayor Steve Peterson is not permitted to break a council draw in financial-related matters.   

On the average, a 1 percent transition for 2016 would have meant $4 more on property valued at $250,000. The change would have netted the city around $21,000 in additional revenue. Liberty Lake's rate of $1.74 for 2016 will be lower than the neighboring jurisdictions of Spokane Valley, Millwood and Spokane. Adding in property tax from the Spokane Valley Fire District, Central Valley School District and five other entities, Liberty Lake property owners will pay $14.08 per $1,000 of assessed value next year.  

In other city news: 
• The city received good news earlier this week from the state Transportation Improvement Board in the form of a $560,000 grant for the proposed traffic roundabout at Mission and Molter. City Engineer Andrew Staples said the funds represent around 70 percent of the overall cost of the project, scheduled for construction in 2016.

• Council approved an agreement with Stone Creek for snow and ice abatement for 2016. The company will replace longtime provider Peplinski Excavation, based in Newman Lake. Staples said Stone Creek bid the contract significantly lower than Peplinski and checked out with sterling references.

• A request for qualifications (RFQ) is now being advertised by the city for a design-build contractor to address the Town Square community center/pool project. A meeting is set for Dec. 19 at City Hall to field questions from potential bidders.

• Residents along North Aladdin Drive have organized a Neighborhood Watch chapter with help from LLPD. Police are addressing a nuisance property in the neighborhood with reinforcement from recent changes to the municipal code enforcement policy. 

• A workshop on public art, originally on last night's agenda, was postponed for a future meeting with a date to be announced.

• Liberty Lake resident Rachelle Hagerty gave a presentation to council emphasizing the importance of family and community values in counteracting crime and violence. Hagerty, who is pursuing a college degree in family science, said "solving human problems comes through transforming human hearts." Mayor Peterson said the city would look at establishing a guide pointing residents to counseling programs and other local resources.

• In his report from the public safety committee, Dunne said LLPD and the Legacy Ridge homeowners' association are considering speed patrols in the neighborhood. 

• The city expects a report from its insurance provider Clear Risk Solutions in early December on the status of properties such as the deck at the Trailhead pro shop, municipal parks, City Hall, the LLPD precinct and library. The company completed an inspection of the sites earlier this month.

• The leaf pickup sponsored by the city and Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District earlier this month generated over 1,500 bags.

• Police Chief Brian Asmus told council he was "proud of how the city worked together" in response to the Nov. 17 windstorm. Asmus said a small number of trees fell in Liberty Lake while power outages were limited to parts of the River District and areas in the far eastern portion of the city. The library and City Hall were opened as warming shelters in response to the storm. 

• The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 1.

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