PORT ANGELES – Property valuations have risen nearly 9 percent this year from last year, using the total value of property in Clallam County as a guide – including new construction.
Properties within the city of Port Angeles received physical evaluations this year.
The total for the city was up $312 million from the previous valuation.
But no one has yet complained to Clallam County Assessor Pam Rushton.
She looked out into her office and the courthouse lobby beyond it on Tuesday, after many had received their notices, which were mailed on Friday.
It was quiet out there. Maybe too quiet.
Like a cowboy awaiting an Indian attack in some old Western movie, she noticed that no one stood at the counter, enraged at his or her property assessment.
“Last year they were lined up out into the hall,” she said Tuesday,
“This year, we have very few.”
It wasn’t that homes weren’t valued higher.
Valuations were based on physical inspections or computer models based on 2006 real estate sales.
Total assessed value changes for 2008 taxes also include:
Perhaps it was that people understood the system better, Rushton said.
