State's levy lid lift for schools leads to large tax increase in South Kitsap
SOUTH KITSAP Ever since 2020 property tax information went up earlier this month on the Kitsap County Assessor's website, calls have been pouring into the office. Many are from South Kitsap residents, who saw a significant bump in their tax bills, according to Kitsap County Assessor Phil Cook.
Legislation passed in 2019 allows for an increase in 2020 and beyond in the amount school districts can collect on voter-approved school support levies. The new law walked back a levy collection rate capped in 2019 at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The new rate is capped at $2.50 per $1,000, which translates to a roughly $300 annual increase for the owner of a median home in South Kitsap.
The sunset of a one-year state school tax rollback also factors into 2020 tax bills statewide.
In 2020, South Kitsap is regaining most of the local tax revenue it lost in 2019 when the $1.50 per $1,000 local levy cap went into effect. That year, the district collected $11.5 million less than in 2018 on its school support levy, according to Assessor's Office documents, a 47.4% decrease.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/state-s-levy-lid-lift-for-schools-leads-to-large-tax-increase-in-south-kitsap/ar-BBZA7ph?ocid=hplocalnews