Council debates property tax boost issue on Nov. 21

The increase wouldn't add a lot to the city's coffers. If approved by the council, the tax boost is projected to add $2,404 to the city's revenue for 2008.

Last year, the council voted to increase the property tax levy by the one percent allowed under state law.

The city has until Nov. 30 to decide whether to raise the tax rate, and some council members questioned waiting until late November to hold the public hearing on the issue.

"I don't think it needs to be pushed that far back," said council member Susan Gookin. "Leaving it until the very last minute is a concern."

Eric Greene, the city's clerk-treasurer, cautioned that there was no margin for error in making the decision on the tax levy by the Nov. 30 deadline.

"Failure to vote would be failure to levy the property taxes at all, which would be a catastrophe," Greene said.

However, council members Timi Keene and Brad Roberts said there was a good reason to wait until late November.

"It's not fair for us to ask the community to pay more taxes until they have the opportunity to see our prospective revenue for next year," Keene explained.

"It would be nice to have a look at all the figures first," Roberts added.

Greene said the money usually goes into the city's general fund, but it could be earmarked for a specific use -- such as repairs to the pool, street repairs, etc. -- if the council wants that to be the case.

The public hearing on whether to boost the tax will be on Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. at the White Salmon Fire Station meeting room.