PORT TOWNSEND — After a 4-2 vote, the City Council will put a measure asking for a $1 increase in the per-thousand property tax rate on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
The proposal to lift the city’s tax levy limit was first proposed by the council’s budget and finance committee nearly a month ago.
Governments, under state law created by voter initiative, can increase property taxes by 1 percent annually without going to the voters for approval.
If approved by voters in November, the increase will push the tax rate from $1.93 to $2.93 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The owner of property valued at $100,000 would pay $293 in city property taxes annually compared to $193 under the current rate.
The additional tax will increase city property tax revenue by $750,000 annually, if approved.
The council said the tax increase would help the struggling city budget.
Current budget projections predict a $500,000 deficit gap for the next year.
