Peter Van Nortwick, Candidate for County Tax Assessor, has issued his “Tax Payer Bill of Rights” that he will strive to implement as our next County Assessor.
Property Tax Payer Bill of Rights
As your Assessor, I will work hard with your State Representatives and Senators to enact my Property Tax Payers Bill of Rights.
1. The Burden Of Proof Belongs to The County.
I join Commissioners Tom Mielke and Marc Boldt in calling for the burden of proof in appeals to be shifted from the land owner to the Assessor’s office. Currently during an appeal, the Assessor’s office is presumed to be right and the homeowner must bring evidence in to prove otherwise. Do you trust your government to be right?
2. Property Taxes From Government Land Purchases May Not Be Shifted.
When you buy land, you are responsible for the property taxes on the land. The Government should be no different. Instead when the government buys a piece of property the taxes are shifted to the other land owners in the taxing district pushing up property taxes. This practice threatens our rural communities.
3. Property Owners Must Be Notified of Impacts Prior to Zoning Changes.
Homeowners should never find out their property has been rezoned by seeing their assessed values jump. The entity changing the zoning, in conjunction with the Assessor’s office, should inform the home owner of the property tax implications of a zoning change. They must give impacted citizens time to appeal the zoning changes.
4. Government Projects Must Address Impacts on Home Value.
Whether it is BPA or the Columbia River Crossing, any major government project should address the impact on home values. Higher towers and bridge tolls will have an impact on our home values. It is time that the government specifically addresses the impact so citizens can make informed decisions.
5. Right of Farmers to Retire on Their Land.
The tax laws make it very difficult for farmers to retire on their land. Currently, if a farmer takes their land out of agricultural status they owe years of back taxes within 30 days! A farmer of retirement age should be able to continue living on his or her land. The family farm deserves protection.
Van Nortwick For Assessor
www.Van4Assessor.com
County Assessor is one of those elected offices that too many of us often ignore, paying attention to legislators, mayors and such. Peter has been reminding us of the importance of this job to maintain a fair level of revenues, not over taxing or under taxing anyone.
This isn’t a job just for anyone, but requires a skilled and trained professional. Trained in proper accounting and with the ability to oversee and properly manage a department that is currently being faced with budget decreases, as are others.
As much as any elected office, the office of County Assessor is a very important one and I invite you to learn more about Peter Van Nortwick, Republican for Clark County Assessor
