2017 Ad Valorem Taxes

STAFF REPORT NO. 144-16

TO: Mayor and City Council DATE: 10/24/2016 FROM: Eric Holmes, City Manager 11/07/2016

Subject: Ad Valorem Taxes for 2017

Key Points:  Approving ad valorem taxes authorizes the County Assessor to levy real and personal property taxes.  City staff has estimated the City should approve ad valorem taxes for 2017 in the amount of $46.6 million in order to fund the 2017-18 biennial budget.

Objective: To provide continued funding for the 2017- 2018 Biennial Budget. The additional revenues provided by this action, along with other revenues included in the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget, will support multiple goals and objectives in the City’s Strategic Plan.

Present Situation: Pursuant to RCW 35.33.135, Council must approve an ordinance to fix and authorize the Clark County Assessor’s Office to levy ad valorem taxes necessary to fund the City of Vancouver’s 2017-2018 Biennial Budget.

An ad valorem tax (Latin for "according to value") is defined as a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. An ad valorem tax is typically imposed at the time of a transaction(s) (a sales tax or value-added tax (VAT)), but it may be imposed on an annual basis (real or personal property tax) or in connection with another significant event (i.e. inheritance tax).

Staff currently estimates the 2017 real and personal property tax levy as $46.6 million, which includes a preliminary estimate of $722,000 in property tax revenue from new construction. The estimate of property tax from new construction will be updated based on the final new construction valuation provided by the Assessor’s Office. The estimate of property tax revenue does not include the change in value of state-assessed utility property. Both of these amounts will not be final until December 2016.

City staff recommends that Council approve ad valorem taxes in the amount of $46.6 million, which is needed to fund the City’s 2017-2018 biennial budget. Approving ad valorem taxes of $46.6 million allows the County Assessor’s Office to levy real and personal property taxes to the full extent allowed under Washington State law. Staff anticipates that the final certified levy will be between $46.0 million and $46.2 million in 2017. If Council authorizes the ad valorem tax amount too low, the County Assessor’s Office will only be allowed to levy up to the amount authorized by Council.

Staff recommends that City Council approve ad valorem taxes in the amount of $46.6 million for the 2017 real and personal property tax levy within the city limits of Vancouver. This estimated revenue source is necessary to fund the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget for the City of Vancouver.

10/20/2016 9:42 AM

Staff Report 144-16 10/24/2016 11/07/2016 Page 2 of 2

Advantage(s): Ad valorem taxes provide continued funding from the City’s primary revenue source, which is necessary to fund the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget.

Disadvantage(s): Ad valorem taxes increase; however, the increase is small and the specific impact on a property owner is dependent on the change in their assessed value.

Budget Impact: The amount of the ad valorem tax ordinance is included in the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget.

Action Requested: 1. On October 24, 2016, approve ordinance on first reading, setting the date of second reading and public hearing for November 7, 2016. 2. On November 7, 2016, subject to second reading and public hearing, approve the ordinance.

Attachment: Ordinance

To request other formats, please contact: City Manager’s Office (360) 487-8600 | WA Relay: 711 [email protected] 10/24/2016 11/07/2016

ORDINANCE NO. ______

AN ORDINANCE fixing and levying the amount of ad valorem taxes necessary to balance

estimated revenue with estimated expenditures for the 2017/2018 Budget for the City of Vancouver;

providing for an effective date.

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the total net amount of $46,600,000 in revenue must

be raised by ad valorem taxes on real and personal property within the corporate limits of the City of

Vancouver to balance estimated revenues and expenditures for the 2017/2018 budget for the City of

Vancouver.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF VANCOUVER:

Section 1. There is hereby fixed to be raised by general property taxes upon real and

personal property within the City of Vancouver the amount of $46,600,000, for the following

purposes:

Amount of tax levy for General Government Purposes $46,600,000 Special Purpose Tax Levy 2016 0 Total Levy Amount $46,600,000

Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to transmit and file a certified copy of this

ordinance with the Board of Clark County Commissioners and the Clark County Assessor following approval by City Council.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect five days after adoption.

ORDINANCE - 1

Read first time:

Ayes: Councilmembers

Nays: Councilmembers

Absent: Councilmembers

Read second time:

PASSED by the following vote:

Ayes: Councilmembers

Nays: Councilmembers

Absent: Councilmembers

SIGNED this ______day of ______, 2016.

______Timothy D. Leavitt, Mayor

Attest: Approved as to form:

______R. Lloyd Tyler, City Clerk E. Bronson Potter, City Attorney By: Carrie Lewellen, Deputy City Clerk

ORDINANCE - 2

SUMMARY

ORDINANCE NO. ______

AN ORDINANCE fixing and levying the amount of ad valorem taxes necessary to balance estimated revenue with estimated expenditures for the 2017/2018 Budget for the City of Vancouver; providing for an effective date five days after adoption.

The full text of this ordinance will be mailed upon request. Contact Raelyn McJilton, Records Officer at 487-8711, or via www.cityofvancouver.us (Go to City Government and Public Records).

ORDINANCE - 3