Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 25, 2005 Patty Birdsong, a customer service specialist with Jackson County, holds up one of about 100,000 property tax bills that are headed to county residents� mailboxes this week. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Tax statements sent County property tax up by about $8 million By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Tax statements sent out to more than 100,000 Jackson County property owners total about $8 million more than a year ago. County officials say the total property tax bill is $182.5 million, up from the $174.4 million sent out in 2004. The tax payments go primarily to schools, local governments and special taxing districts like fire districts. "They’re hitting Medford and Central Point today," Gary Cadle, county finance director, said Monday. Statements were mailed Friday and most property owners should received them by Wednesday. Fueled by a strong housing market, the value of all properties jumped over 2004, rising from $18.7 billion to $22 billion. "The value has skyrocketed about 18 percent," said county Assessor Dan Ross. Advertisement The county assesses properties at 42 percent lower than real market value on average, translating into an assessed value of $115,000 on a $200,000 house. Tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation range from $7.90 in rural Prospect to $17.06 in Central Point. For all properties, the total assessed value at the reduced rate increased from $12.3 billion to $13 billion over 2004, an increase of 5.63 percent. Ross said assessors review 6,000 sales every year to determine the real market value of housing in different areas of Jackson County. He suggests that all property owners check their property tax statements to make sure they’re correct. For questions call 774-6059. Cadle said residents who pay the entire property tax bill by Nov. 15 will get a 3 percent discount. A two-thirds payment results in a 2 percent discount. Failure to pay at least a third of the bill by the deadline will result in a 1.3 percent interest charge per month. This year, property owners will have the option of paying their property tax bills online or by credit card. The county can’t legally charge for such services, so an outside firm, Bankserv, will process the online bills, which can be accessed through the county’s Web site, www.jacksoncounty.org . In 2004, the county received 41 percent of property tax payments by mail or at a lock box, 35 percent from people who dropped them off at the office or at PremierWest Bank locations and 24 percent from automatic payment services such as mortgage lenders. Apart from the standard 3 percent increase, property tax statements for certain areas will also reflect new bonds or levies. All property owners will see an increase of 12.5 cents per $1,000 value because voters approved a $24 million bond measure for Rogue Community College. That amounts to $25 for the owner of a $200,000 home. Voters approved levies in Jacksonville and Evans Valley Fire District 6. A White City lighting district was established with a permanent tax rate of 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Only three taxing bodies levied less than the maximum rate allowed — Fire District 2, Central Point and Ashland. All other cities in the county charged the maximum amount. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Tax statements sent ">[email protected] . A sampling of rates from the 39 taxing districts throughout Jackson County based on amount per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Amounts vary depending on such things as number of bond measures, levies or whether an area is located in a fire district. Ashland $14.29 Central Point 17.06* Eagle Point 16.18 Gold Hill 15.91 Medford 15.41 Phoenix 16.17 Prospect-Rural 7.91** Rogue River 15.04 Talent 14.39 * Highest rate per thousand in the county. ** Lowest rate in the county. Source: Jackson County Assessor’s Office (Numbers are rounded for clarity). Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s