UPDATE, 12/1 - On 12/23 the School Board approved a $170 increase in school taxes in 2011. Over four years the increase will be $294. - ref: http://www.lwsd.org/
Letter from Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, Lake Washington School District
Thanks, Bob, for taking on a very complex subject. Let me clarify a few things, though. The 2009 tax rate is $2.22 per thousand but that is based on an average assessed value of $594,000, for a tax of $1319. For 2010, the estimated tax rate will be $2.87 because the average assessed value dropped to $505,000, for a tax of $1449.
Our rates have been declining, from $4.01 per thousand in 2000 to $2.22 in 2009 because the average assessed value continued to rise during that time. For 2010, the rate is expected to rise mainly because of the decrease in assessed value.
The expected increase of $130 for the average house for 2010 is primarily because the amount voters approved for collection increased.
Input from Public Meeting workshop sessions will determine what goes into the measures that will go on the ballot in February, which would affect taxes beginning in 2011. LWSD residents will be able to determine what the tax impacts will be of each of the options at during those sessions. For those who cannot make it to one of those sessions, we will have the same information posted on the district Web site, at http://www.lwsd.org/.
Comment by Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, LWSD.
Edited by Bob Yoder, 9/23
cc: LWSD Administration
I think Ms. Reith is referencing the previously approved bonds for Debt Service, which is $1.18 / $1000 - 41% of the total $2.87 rate.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the context of this post is, but I hope that the tax increase isn't a surprise to anyone out there since that is what folks voted for (including me).
ReplyDeleteJan - You can almost quote me that a part of the rate we have already voted on is the Debt Service ($1.18 / $1000)
ReplyDeleteI think it's mostly the Capital Projects levies that will be under discussion during the public sessions.
This is all very confusing, so I recommend you go to the October workshops!!
wow, i sure didn't vote for tax increases, but most everyone in Redmond obviously did. Economy is messed up, LWSD wants more and more and more money (Pay to play is just ONE example) and now i need to pay another "average" of $130 per year. And, isn't it odd that several schools in the LWSD FAILED THEIR AYP???
ReplyDelete