PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend City Council unanimously approved an extension to the timeline for city manager John Mauro to present his recommendations regarding a post-annexation tax restriction policy.
The extension allows Mauro to present the recommendation by Oct. 31, instead of during this month, as the city staff garner public engagement through the Engage PT campaign.
In February 2019, Port Townsend residents approved an annexation that added Port Townsend to East Jefferson Fire Rescue protection, and because of that, the city no longer has to pay EJFR from the general fund, as it collects taxes directly, city documents said.
The city agreed to not collect in property tax the value it would have paid EJFR for up to four years following the annexation vote.
This gave the city about $900,000 of banked capacity. For 2020 the city agreed not to collect any of the banked capacity, city documents said.
For 2021-2023 the amount of banked capacity the city can collect is graduated in, and the city will host public hearings in November for property tax levies that Mauro recommends depending on public priorities, documents said.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached by email at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com or by phone at 360-385-2335, ext. 5.
