Special legislative session set for Thursday

EPHRATA - Property taxes could increase in Grant County if a 1 percent tax limit isn't reset on Thursday during a special Legislative session in Olympia.

The 1 percent tax limit was declared unconstitutional on Nov. 9 by the state Supreme Court. The limit was set in 2001 by Tim Eyman's voter-approved Initiative 747.

A new statute was created with the overturn of I-747, meaning some taxing districts could increase taxes by over 1 percent.

Taxpayers in some counties could see their taxes increase by as much as 6 percent, said Grant County Assessor Laure Grammer.

Grant County taxpayers would be affected because taxing districts can ask for what the new ruling allows, she stated.

The state Association of County Assessors agreed last week to propose legislation that would have the 1 percent limit re-established.

"The assessors are trying to band together," she said. "We'll be testifying on (Nov.) 29th in hopes they'll fix it and not got back to 6 percent."

But the worse case scenario would be if no action was taken during the special session, she said.

That's because taxing districts must have their budgets and levy certifications turned in on Friday and are "wanting direction," she said.

Lawmakers may also be asked to approve a property tax deferral program for households earning less than $57,000 annually.

The median annual income in Grant County is $35,276, according to the 2000 census.

Qualifying taxpayers would pay 25 percent less in taxes annually and likely repay the money when their home is resold.

Adams County Assessor Dave Anderson said he hopes the Legislature agrees to have taxes capped at 1 percent.

"The voters spoke very clearly," he said.