Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Tax would apply to municipalities
DAVENPORT — A noxious weed tax assessment is likely to be brought before the Lincoln County Commissioners later in 2023, according to a discussion at city council’s regular meeting Wednesday, March 8.
Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator Farren Reinbold gave a presentation to council stating the board would propose a $15 tax assessment per parcel for incorporated municipalities, with collected funds going back to the weed board.
Reinbold said she expects to make the proposal to the commissioners this fall. A commissioner decision would be the final decision, without a say from the municipalities or voters aside from an advertised public hearing held in the commissioner’s chambers, discussion insinuated.
“It sounds like we don’t really have a choice here,” councilman Cory Hollis commented.
The $15 tax assessment would be charged on a yearly basis and be part of one’s property taxes.
The assessment is already in place for unincorporated parcels in Lincoln County, which Reinbold said has not caused citizen concern in the past.
Adding it to incorporated parcels, including those living in town or city limits of Davenport, Harrington, Sprague, Odessa, Reardan, Creston, Wilbur and Almira, would increase noxious weed response due to increased funding for the weed board, Reinbold said.
“We often treat incorporated areas differently than unincorporated areas due to a lack of funding,” she told the council. “We get a lot of calls from incorporated areas that often go untreated.”
City administrator Steve Goemmel said the city already works with property owners that have “out-of-control” issues with weeds.
The weed board still responds to calls from those in the city limits, but prioritizes unincorporated parcels, Reinbold said.
Councilman Patrick Katz asked about situations for people that own multiple parcels, lots or “halves” of parcels or lots.
Reinbold said the $15 yearly fee is a minimum charge and would be assigned per parcel number.
She estimated the tax assessment would raise an additional $56,000 annually.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
Reader Comments(0)