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Boys and Girls club donation match
A jump in assessments doesn’t always result in the same tax increase
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Did your property assessment take a big jump for 2023? Are you worried that your property taxes will go up a similar amount? Don’t worry, increases in property assessments and property taxes rarely go hand in hand. How so?
The various government agency taxes that make up your tax bill are typically budget-based tax levies that are limited to a one-percent increase annually.
For instance, in 2021, the entire valuation of the Blaine school district (which encompasses Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts) was $5.03 billion and the Blaine school district tax levy was $11,515,364. The mill rate, or cost per $1,000 of assessed value was 2.29. A house worth $100,000 would have paid $228.99. In 2022, the assessed value of the district rose to $5.38 billion an increase of 7.15 percent. Meanwhile, the school district levy increased to $11,853,358 resulting in a reduced mill rate of 2.19. If the value of that $100,000 house increased at the same rate as the school district, the taxes owed would have increased by $6.71, an increase of 2.9 percent.
An individual’s property taxes are limited by the Washington state constitution to one percent of market value ($10 per $1,000). Voter-approved special levies, such as special levies for schools or this year’s proposed EMS levy, are in addition to the constitutionally mandated amount.
In 2022, the levy rates calculated for individual taxing districts generally decreased as a result of higher assessed values. However, levy rates did increase for voter-approved measures. The average levy rate for 2021 taxes was 10.01 per thousand dollars of assessed value, while the average levy rate for 2022 taxes decreased to 9.15.
The total taxable assessed value in Whatcom County increased from $38.33 billion to $43.16 billion for 2022 taxes. Property taxes collected in 2022 by all taxing districts in Whatcom County increased overall 4.8 percent over 2021. Property taxes totaled $404,471,919 in 2022, up $18.4 million over 2020’s $386,098,169 that was levied for all taxing districts.
Each year, the county physically assesses a sixth of the properties in the county.
In 2022, Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts were physically assessed. In 2023, Lynden and the surrounding area will see county assessor vehicles. Because the county cannot physically assess the entire county each year, it uses what is called a mass appraisal method that analyses properties grouped by similar market influences and characteristics. A three-bedroom home in good condition in Lynden would be appraised similarly to a similar home in a similar neighborhood in Blaine. Both homes would receive a similar adjustment in their assessments.
An annual mass appraisal revaluation generally results in greater uniformity and consistency in property tax assessments and a more equal distribution of property taxes within the taxing jurisdiction. This method has been in effect since January 1, 2014, and was the result of a law enacted by the state legislature. An individual property valuation is typically determined by looking at recent sales of similar properties. Mass appraisals do the same thing but look at groups of properties rather than individual properties.
The vast majority of our county taxes go to the state (29.99 percent), county (7.95 percent), school districts (32.4 percent), Port of Bellingham (1.93 percent) and EMS districts. Note: School district percentage is a combination of all county school districts and is not specific to the Blaine school district.
What could drive your taxes up?
For one, the approved county EMS levy would reauthorize a levy rate of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property. Voters authorized this levy rate in 2016 for six years; by last year, the levy rate had declined to $0.22 per $1,000. Secondly, you may own the kind of property that saw an above-average rise in market value in the last year; if so, both your assessed value and your taxes will rise higher than.
In any event, you won’t have to wait long to find out. Typically, property tax statements are mailed out during the third week of February.
(Ed note: For clarity, mill rates and total valuations have been rounded to two decimal places.)
Election ...
From page 1
The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office was previously behind on processing ballots because of windstorm-caused network outages that limited connection to the state’s voter registration system, VoteWA. The auditor’s office had over 25,500 ballots left to count after the initial count on November 8.
County auditor Diana Bradrick said in an interview that election workers did not count ballots over Veterans Day or the weekend because the office had not budgeted for overtime pay and the ballots still needing to be processed wouldn’t have changed the outcome for the close races. “Having people come in over the holiday weekend wasn’t going to change the results,” she said.
Incumbent Alicia Rule (D) won the state representative position 1 seat in the 42nd Legislative District with a slightly higher margin than the state senate race. Rule received 38,516 votes (51.7 percent), while Tawsha (Dykstra) Thompson, received 35,942 votes (48.2 percent) in support.
Joe Timmons (D) won the 42nd Legislative District’s state representative position 2 seat. Timmons had 38,028 votes (51.2 percent), while Dan Johnson (R) had 36,157 votes (48.7 percent).
Jonathan Rands won the Whatcom County District Court judge position 2 race. Rands received 62.3 percent in support, while Gordon M. Jenkins received 37.1 percent in support.
Jaime Arnett won the commissioner district 3 seat for Public Utility District No. 1. Arnett received 45,692 votes (52.2 percent), while Eric Davidson trailed behind with 41,150 votes (47 percent).
Incumbent Steve Hobbs (D) retained his position as Washington state Secretary of State. Hobbs received 50 percent in support throughout the state. Julie Anderson (nonpartisan) had 45.8 percent in support. Over 4 percent of the votes were write-in.
U.S. Senate incumbent Patty Murray (D) retained her seat. Murray received 57.3 percent in support statewide, while Tiffany Smiley (R) received 42.5 percent votes statewide.
U.S. representative Rick Larsen (D) will retain his seat in Washington state’s 2nd U.S. Congressional District. Larsen received 60.5 percent in support statewide, while Dan Matthews (R) received 39.2 percent in support statewide.
The Whatcom County children’s initiative levy lid lift, Proposition 2022-5, appears as though it will fail with 53,940 votes (50 percent) against and 53,766 votes (49.9 percent) in support. The proposition is failing by 174 votes.
The county’s Emergency Medical Services levy increase, Proposition 2022-6, passed as 68,460 votes (64 percent) are in support, and 38,539 votes (36 percent) are against.
Bradrick said ballots are still coming in and the election results aren’t finalized until they are certified on Tuesday, November 29.
“It really isn’t over until we certify, and we get ballots until the day of certification,” Bradrick said. “The numbers aren’t static. We will continue to get ballots until the 29th.”
The next ballot count was scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, November 17. To view election results, visit bit.ly/3FZAXsD.
Northwest Fusion Cuisine Right Here in Blaine!
Boys and Girls Club asking for $30,000 donation match to Blaine clubhouse
An anonymous Blaine resident will match up to $30,000 in donations from fellow residents to the Blaine chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County (BGCWC) this holiday season. The donation match will end December 31.
The Blaine club provides meals and supports students with afterschool learning activities.
“We are immensely grateful for the generous support of this gracious and long-term donor from Blaine. Her matching gift challenge will help ensure we can sustain our array of life-enhancing programs for kids in the Blaine community,” said Heather Powell, CEO of BGCWC, in a November 7 press release.
The BGCWC was founded in 1946 with the goal of helping youth reach their full potential. The clubs accept children 5-18 years old for a yearly $40 membership. In addition to Blaine, Whatcom County clubs are located in Ferndale, Lynden and Bellingham.
Visit whatcomclubs.org to donate or contact Sara Maloney at 360/738-3808, ext. 304 or smaloney@whatcomclubs.org.
Photo courtesy BGCWC
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Live Entertainment at The Vault
Friday, November 17 • 7 pm
Live Music with Dick & Jane
Friday, November 25 • 7 pm
Live Music with Michael Dayvid
Thursday, December 1• 7 pm
Marvel Trivia
Friday, December 2 • 7 pm
Live Music with Anna Katarina
Thursday, December 8 • 7 pm
General Knowledge Trivia
Friday, December 9 • 7 pm
Live Music with Gruv
Wednesday, December 14 • 7 pm
Sip & Paint*
Thursday, December 15 • 7 pm
Winter Solstice Trivia
Friday, December 16 • 7 pm
Live Music with Double Trouble
Thursday, December 22 • 7 pm
Christmas Music & Movies Trivia & Ugly Sweater Contest
Friday, December 23 • 7 pm
Live Music with Tea Seas Trio
*$50 includes art supplies, instruction and beverage credit. Reservations required
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
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The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
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The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVIII, No 23
Circulation: 10,500 copies
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Next issue: Nov. 23 Ads due: Nov. 18 Op-Ed: What does it take to bend, not break? Make a difference before disaster strikes
B y M aur I I n G ra M and J ohn p erry
Are we a resilient community? What does that look like?
A year ago this week, Whatcom County experienced the largest natural disaster in its history. Catastrophic flooding caused by severe wind and rainstorms killed one resident, displaced more than 500 and caused more than $150 million in confirmed damages; an elementary school was destroyed and 2,000 homes – including 80 percent of those in Sumas – were damaged. FEMA approved more than 1,500 applications for financial support with awards totaling $5.6 million.
As part of the private, community-based response in both official and unofficial roles, we were there. And we’re here to tell you: Resilience looks like community – neighbors helping neighbors, chipping in, stepping up and MacGyvering their way through troubled waters to help people reach high ground, and then doing it again and again until neighbors are not just safe but made closer to whole: physically, emotionally, financially.
Of course, resilience is also robust infrastructure, flexible resources, strong leadership, sharp communication, clear roles and established protocols. Resilience is having a plan, along with the courage and imagination to change it to meet the moment.
Above all, resilience depends on relationships, ideally forged during ordinary times to lean on for the extraordinary moments when community support is the difference between bending and breaking. We cannot emphasize this enough. Trusted relationships – between public, private and nonprofit leaders, among neighbors and community partners – ensure respect, speed action and allow for creative solutions, whether rescuing your neighbor’s cows, figuring out how to get people sheltered, or deciding where to donate your time or money.
The fact is we weren’t prepared. We couldn’t help people fast enough. Government money is slow and covers a fraction of recovery costs. The Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group (WLTRG, formerly Whatcom Strong) reports 590 families still requesting disaster aid; 48 still need permanent housing. Damages are expected to exceed $200 million in the months ahead as buyouts and pending flood mitigation go forward. Recovery is expected to take three years.
Community foundations in the U.S. typically play an essential role in disaster relief and recovery and the Whatcom Community Foundation is no different. With knowledge of the area’s strengths and challenges, community foundations are a useful philanthropic partner during disasters.
The Whatcom Community Foundation set up the Resilience Fund several years ago with the idea that it would be ready and activated during a disaster. Nearly $3 million was granted to area nonprofits for Covid relief. Then came the floods. As of mid-October 2022, the foundation has granted $2.6 million for flood relief and recovery. These heroic numbers are all thanks to the stunning generosity of local businesses and neighbors like you as well as people from far away with a heart for humanity. Neighborliness in action. Resilience.
Resilience Fund dollars initially addressed humanitarian needs, then shifted to recovery efforts including supporting WLTRG disaster case managers. While lasting solutions for housing, infrastructure and business recovery hinge on public funding, the WLTRG formed as a nonprofit dedicated to recovering and rebuilding following not just this, but all disasters.
Because there will be more. Experts predict that heavy rainfall events – like the “atmospheric river” rainstorms that led to flooding last year – to be more frequent and severe. Then there’s “the” earthquake or another pandemic or something else. Based on experience here and nationally we know: • Community members often lead rescue work, relief and recovery. • Disasters disproportionately affect marginalized people – 2021 floods included. s The Sumas library during the November
2021 floods.
Photo by Alison Boudle/courtesy WCLS
• Disasters widen the wealth gap and create further inequities. • Middle-class families whose homes are severely damaged face the threat of a cascading cycle of poverty due to the hardship of being displaced and demands of rebuilding homes and businesses. • The Resilience Fund model works; local donor resources offer the swiftest relief and are essential to helping stabilize people. • Disaster may be short-lived; recovery is not. Funding for long-term recovery is harder to attract, and, in the case of last
November’s flood, desperately needed for mold remediation, rebuilding, appliances and repairs.
Right now, we’re raising money for the Resilience Fund because the flood isn’t over for many in our community, and because we need to prepare for the next crisis. Will you or someone you love need help?
Building a community that bends without breaking is an all-hands effort, addressing everything from policy and infrastructure to temporary housing and food solutions and household preparedness. And it starts and ends with good relationships.
We’re all neighbors. County or city; red or blue; brown, black or white; rich, poor or neither: None of that matters when your (See Op-Ed, next page)
Letters
The Editor:
I want to extend a huge “thank you” to the residents of Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer for their generosity to the Community Assistance Program’s winter coat drive. To those establishments that gave space for collection bins, and those who filled them with winter items, this blessing would not happen without you. We received a total of 621 coats to be distributed, as well as hundreds of hats, scarves, socks and other winter clothing. Our team of volunteers was able to serve 116 families in our community with the warm items they’ll need for this winter season.
Amee Nelson
Community Assistance Program
Blaine
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Correction
In the November 10 issue of The Northern Light, Janell Kortlever should have been given photo credit for the front page photo.
We regret the error.
CiviC Meetings
Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com. Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us. Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. The December meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 14 at Blaine Senior Center. Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., council chambers and virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330. Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
