Assessed property values for the Oroville School District and the Omak School District outside the City of Omak will go up 30-75 percent in 2009, according to Okanogan County assessor Scott Furman.
     His office recently completed the revaluation process for all taxable property in the district, excluding Omak, he said. Notice of value change forms will be mailed May 30.
     Areas included in the revaluation are the Omak flats, Conconully, Riverside, Tunk Valley and portions of the Colville Indian Reservation, plus the Oroville district.
     “The re-appraisal process involves real estate appraisers from the assessor's office going out and physically inspecting all taxable property,” said Furman. “This process occurs every four years.”
     The last revaluation was based upon sales that occurred prior to Jan. 1, 2004. New assessed values are based upon comparable sales of similar property located in the area that have occurred over the past few years.
     “The real estate market in the central valley area has seen unprecedented market appreciation in the past three years,” said Furman. “Most properties will see a 30-75 percent increase in assessment based upon location due to home and land sales in the local area.”
     Levy rates will go down to help offset the increases, but property taxes on most properties will go up in 2009, he continued.
     Notice of value change forms will show the old and new assessed values. The new assessment will have an effect on property taxes paid in 2009.
     Questions on assessments may be directed to the assessor’s office, 422-7190, said Furman.
     “If an owner feels that the property was incorrectly valued, he has the right to appeal the assessment to the Okanogan County Board of Equalization within 30 days of the date of mailing of the notice,” he continued.
     The board can be reached at 422-7100.
     Appeal forms also are available at www.okanogancounty.org, click on “assessor” and then select board of equalization, Furman said.