Open Space values increase

OKANOGAN – The Okanogan County Assessor’s Office mailed out approximately 16,000 notice of value change forms May 30 to property owners primarily located within the Tonasket School District, as well as landowners county wide that have property in the Open Space commercial farm and agricultural property tax classification.

The State requires that one-sixth of the county be physically inspected each year. Most of the land within the Tonasket School District was located in this year’s physical inspection area, according to Steve Furman, Okanogan County Assessor. Some neighborhoods in the Methow Valley were also adjusted to reflect the real estate market in that area, he said in a press release last Monday.

“Changes in value varied based upon location with some assessments staying in a similar range as the prior value while others were adjusted to reflect sales that have occurred in that particular neighborhood. These new values will affect taxes paid in 2015,” Furman said.

Change of value notices were also mailed to property owners who have property in the Open Space commercial farm and agricultural property tax classifications as most of those values increased incrementally. Open Space values are based upon a formula that capitalizes the five year average net income derived from the various crops grown such as alfalfa, wheat or tree fruit.

Furman’s office encourages anyone who has questions on their assessment to call the office at 509-422-7190. Appeals must be received by the Okanogan County Board of Equalization by Monday, July 1, 2014. Appeal forms can be accessed from the web: www.okanogancounty.org or you can call the Board of Equalization at 509-422-7100 and they can mail a form to you.