PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend residents will likely vote on a property tax hike in August, and, if approved, the increased taxes — probably just above $200 annually — would go to support the Port Townsend Public Library.
A decision by the Port Townsend City Council as to how much and in what form the so-called “levy-lid lift” will come is expected to decided on Monday, May 19.
City Manager David Timmons presented nine options to the Port Townsend City Council on Monday night at a workshop session.
These options would help increase funding for the city and specifically aid in restoring levels of service to the local library, the city parks and capital facilities within the city.
Three of the options were to establish permanent tax districts; two of the options were to permanently increase the levy lid; and four of the options looked to temporarily boost the city property tax.
Due to Initiative 747, passed by the state’s voters in 2001, the city is limited to 1 percent tax increases annually.
Levy-lid lifts are usually temporary increases in property taxes above the 1 percent and must be approved by local voters.
