HomeMy WebLinkAbout3067 Fixing and Adopting 2012 Property Tax Levies Ordinance 3067
Property Tax Levy Lift
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ORDINANCE NO. 3067
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND FIXING AND ADOPTING
2012 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES FOR THE GENERAL LEVY WITH AN INCREASE OF
ONE PERCENT (1.00%) IF THE CITY'S FIRE AND EMERGENCY LEVY LID LIFT
DOES NOT PASS AND TWENTY-TWO AND NINETY-NINE HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT (22.99%) IF THE CITY'S FIRE AND EMERGENCY LEVY LID LIFT
PASSES AND FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES LEVY AN INCREASE
OF ONE PERCENT (1.00%)
WHEREAS, as provided by and pursuant to RCW 84.55.120 and other applicable
statutes, the City of Port Townsend has properly given notice of the public hearing held on
November 14, 2011, to consider the City of Port Townsend's General Fund, Contingency Fund,
Library Fund, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fund, Community Services Fund, Debt
Service Fund and Firemen Pension Fund budget for the 2012 calendar year, pursuant to RCW
84.55.120; and
WHEREAS, an election was held November 8, 2011 on a ballot measure to authorize a
maximurn levy rate for collection in 2012 of$2.4868 per $1,000 assessed value which is an
increase of$0.43 /$1,000. This amount, together with the 1% increase authorized by law, totals
$3,665,000.00 as a general tax levy, which is a percentage increase of 22.99%, resulting in an
increase of$685,047.55 from the previous year. The amounts collected from the levy increase of
$0.43 /$1,000 are dedicated to be used solely for fire protection, prevention and emergency
service purposes at all times, and automatically terminate ("sunset") if the City annexes to the
Fire District (East Jefferson Fire Rescue). As of the date this Ordinance was adopted, the
measure is passing, but the auditor is not scheduled to certify election results until November 29,
2011. Thereafter, state law allows for a recount and legal contest; and
WHEREAS, RCW 84.52.070 requires the City to certify to the County the amount of
taxes to be levied upon the property within the City by November 30 of each year.
WHEREAS, the City Council declares its intent as follows:
1. If the November 8, 2011 levy lid lift passes, the City Council hereby declares its intent to
levy the maximum amount that the City could levy given the passage of the levy lid lift.
2. If the November 8, 2011 levy lid lift does not pass, the City Council hereby declares its
intent to levy the maximum amount that the City could levy given the failure of the levy
lid lift to pass.
3. In addition, the City Council intends to levy the maximum amount that the City could
levy for an emergency medical services property tax levy.
4. There is no intent to levy any amount over the maximum amount allowed by law.
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend, after hearing, and after duly considering all
relevant evidence and testimony presented, has determined that the City of Port Townsend
Ordinance 3067
Property Tax Levy Lift
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requires an increase in real property tax revenue from the previous year, in addition to the
increase in the value of state-assessed property, in order to discharge the expected expenses and
obligations of the City of Port Townsend and in its best interest,
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain that an
increase in the regular property tax levy, in addition to any amount resulting from the addition of
new construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed
property, and any increase due to re-levying for any refunds made in the previous year, is hereby
authorized for the 2012 levy in amounts as follows:
Section 1. There is hereby levied upon all taxable property in the City of Port Townsend,
for the year of 2012, the sum of$ 3,009,751.97 as a general tax levy, which is a percentage
increase of 1.00%, resulting in an increase of$29,799.52 from the previous year.
Section 2. In addition to the levy in Section 1, if the November 8, 2011 levy lid lift for
fire protection, prevention and emergency service purposes passes, there is hereby levied upon
all taxable property in the City of Port Townsend, for the year of 2012, the additional sum of
$655,248.03 as a general tax levy. This amount, together with the amount in Section 1, totals
$3,665,000.00 as a general tax levy, which is a percentage increase of 22.99%, resulting in an
increase of$685,047.55 from the previous year.
Section 3. In addition to the above, there is hereby levied upon all taxable property in the
City of Port Townsend, for the year of 2012, the sum of$738,988.42 as an emergency medical
services property tax levy, which is a percentage increase of 1.00%, resulting in an increase of
$7,316.72 from the previous year.
Section 4. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the provision
to other persons or circumstances, is not affected.
Section 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage, approval, and publication in
the form and manner provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular
meeting thereof, held this 21 st day of November 2011.
Michelle Sandoval, Mayor
A t: Approved as to form:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC . John Watts
City Clerk City Attorney