City property taxes set for 2016: Snoqualmie Carnation, take tax increases for 2016, North Bend opts out

As of Nov. 30, Valley cities had set their property tax levies for 2016. Two, Snoqualmie and Carnation, approved the 1 percent annual increase allowed by state law; North Bend approved a 0 percent increase, for the second year in a row.

By Carol Ladwig • December 1, 2015 7:03 pm

As of Nov. 30, Valley cities had set their property tax levies for 2016. Two, Snoqualmie and Carnation, approved the 1 percent annual increase allowed by state law; North Bend approved a 0 percent increase, for the second year in a row.

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the city of Snoqualmie’s total tax levy will be $6,728,000, which includes an increase of $52,946, just under the 1 percent limit. The total levy also includes a tax for repayment of the debt voters approved in 2002 to build a new fire station. These taxes combined result in a city tax rate of $2.68 per $1,000 of a property’s assessed value in 2016, which would total $1,315 in taxes for a $490,000 home ($490,000 is the average home price in Snoqualmie).

Carnation’s tax levy will total $269,767, which includes an additional $2,553 for the 1 percent increase in property tax revenue. The total includes $12,000 from a new construction levy, setting the city’s 2016 tax rate at $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the average home in Carnation, valued at $618,000, it’s $791 in taxes.

North Bend’s total levy, which also includes debt service for a fire station bond, will be $1,694,491, for a rate of $1.44 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the average home in North Bend, valued at $582,000, it’s $838 in taxes.

Each city will actually see slight revenue increases, however, due to 2015 growth and development.

Snoqualmie’s City Council approved the levy amount at its Monday, Nov. 9 regular meeting.

The North Bend and Carnation City Councils approved their tax levy amounts at their meetings, both on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Cities allocate the funds differently, but each uses property tax revenue for the same basic services, such as public safety, street and sidewalk maintenance, park maintenance and employee wages.

Snoqualmie officials recommend a video by the King County Assessor’s Office for an overview of how someone’s home assessment affects their property tax levy. Watch the video at https://vimeo.com/140985589.

For information about each city, visit their websites:

• Carnation – http://www.carnationwa.gov

• North Bend – http://northbendwa.gov

• Snoqualmie – http://cityofsnoqualmie.org.