Quincy council discusses tax income, outgo
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 hours, 38 minutes AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | October 22, 2026 3:59 PM
QUINCY — A public hearing on a potential increase in Quincy's property tax assessment prompted a discussion of income and expenses at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.
All Washington cities have the option to raise property taxes on a portion of the city's total assessed valuation. Quincy Finance Director Carrie Lnenicka estimated that about $5.6 million was eligible to be taxed. The city is allowed to raise its property tax on that amount by up to 1%, which Lnenicka estimated would generate about $56,580.
That's the maximum the city can collect, she said. Because of that, the actual tax levy rate will decrease if property valuations increase.
If council members approve it, the tax will go into effect in January. It will be on the next council agenda.
Lnenicka used the example of $100 in property tax to demonstrate how the taxes are allocated. Of $100 in property tax paid by a Quincy resident, $54.37 is allocated to education. In a separate interview Lnenicka said that includes the money collected by the state to pay its share of school funding.
It also includes any construction bonds approved by Quincy School District voters, she said. It does not include QSD's special programs and operations levy.
The city receives $10.65 of the $100, she said; Grant County receives $13.58. The remainder is divided among special purpose taxing districts, including $6.92 to Quincy Valley Medical Center, $5.70 to the Port of Quincy, $5.63 to the Quincy Valley Parks and Recreation District, $3 to NCW Libraries and 11 cents to Grant County Cemetery District 1.
If it's approved, the money would go to pay for city operations.
"What I will say is that the 1% does not cover one full-time employee," she said. "Just putting it in terms of that level of service to the city, that's essentially three-quarters of a full-time employee."
It's up to the council to determine whether or not to approve the proposal, reject it or approve a smaller increase, she said.
"But we also have to look at, what revenue does the city need to continue to operate and provide the essential services to the community?" she said.
Quincy Finance Director Carrie Lnenicka provided a look at how property tax money from Quincy residents is divided among the recipients.ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
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Quincy council discusses tax income, outgo
QUINCY — A public hearing on a potential increase in Quincy's property tax assessment prompted a discussion of income and expenses at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. All Washington cities have the option to raise property taxes on a portion of the city's total assessed valuation. Quincy Finance Director Carrie Lnenicka estimated that about $5.6 million was eligible to be taxed. The city is allowed to raise its property tax on that amount by up to 1%, which Lnenicka estimated would generate about $56,580. That's the maximum the city can collect, she said. Because of that, the actual tax levy rate will decrease if property valuations increase.
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