Chelan County Assessor talks property values at Lake Wenatchee meeting

LAKE WENATCHEE - Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius met with residents of Leavenworth and Plain on Wednesday, April 23, at the Administrative Office of Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue as one in a series of community outreach meetings this spring. The well-attended meeting, at which County Commissioner Shon Smith was also present, provided a platform for the Assessor to explain the intricacies of property assessment and address specific questions and concerns from local property owners.

For those unfamiliar, a county assessor is a public official responsible for determining the value of properties within a county for property tax purposes. This value is used to calculate the amount of property tax owed by residents and businesses. The assessor also maintains records of property ownership and other relevant property information.

Cornelius, who has been with the office since 2008, highlighted recent positive developments within his department, including an office reorganization aimed at optimizing staff roles and the office being on track for timely issuance of assessment notices. He also noted an approximate 4% increase in county property prices over the past couple of years, information crucial for understanding upcoming assessments.

The question-and-answer session saw active engagement from the community, with several key concerns raised. One resident inquired about the January 1 valuation date, questioning why it was not closer to the spring selling season for vacation homes. Cornelius explained that while the Washington State law does not strictly mandate January 1, the Department of Revenue has requirements that make it a necessary date for their processes.

The topic of assessment accuracy compared to sales prices was also raised. Cornelius noted that last year, on average, homes in the county sold for 20% more than their assessed value, with an 83% rate. He emphasized the office’s goal is for every person to be able to sell their property for at least its assessed value, stating they do not focus on under-appraised properties.

Regarding the frequency of physical inspections, Cornelius explained that while Washington state law mandates every six years, Chelan County inspects each property every four years. This more frequent cycle, done on a rotational basis across different areas (with a handout detailing the schedule), provides a more current comparison of the tax roll to reality and offers a buffer for hard-to-reach areas like Stehekin. Cornelius believes this four-year cycle is fairer to the community. During these inspections, the assessor reviews the previous assessment, looking for signs of deterioration (average maintenance) or significant improvements (above average), which factor into the valuation.

Questions also arose concerning limitations on property tax increases. Cornelius explained that at the county level, property taxes can only increase by 1%. He also touched upon Washington Senate Bill (SB) 5798, which proposes to remove the current limit on property tax increases at the state level, allowing for adjustments based on inflation and population growth, a potential change that has sparked considerable debate.

Finally, Cornelius addressed the technology used in the Assessor’s Office, clarifying that unlike some jurisdictions, Chelan County’s assessments are largely done manually by staff, utilizing Excel spreadsheets rather than specialized computer programs. He also reiterated the timeline for assessments: the office is currently analyzing sales data from 2024, residents will receive their appraisals in 2025, and they will pay taxes on this new value in 2026, meaning there is a two-year lag between the sales data being reviewed and when those values impact tax bills.

The meeting in Leavenworth was the second of four community outreach sessions planned across Chelan County. The final two meetings are scheduled for:

• The Chelan and Manson areas: 6 to 7 p.m. on May 21 at Chelan City Hall, located at 135 E. Johnson Ave. in Chelan.

• The Cashmere and South Wenatchee/Malaga areas: 6 to 7 p.m. on June 18 at Cashmere City Hall, located at 101 Woodring St. In Cashmere.

For more information on Cornelius and the Assessor’s Office: 

https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/assessor

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s Publications Group.