[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6262107,"mediaKeyId","3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c","parentId",3116089,"title","Whitman County assessor explains sharp reassessments in Pullman; residents press for relief","audioSeconds",1715,"startMs",538000,"endMs",2253000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c&start=538&end=2253","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c/thumbnail_538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262107/Pullman/Whitman-County/Washington/Whitman-County-assessor-explains-sharp-reassessments-in-Pullman-residents-press-for-relief","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262107-ac0fa4695637667648eb365941732c25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157991&Signature=fy~foG~5nY0AyUkwmKA3tc7vmh9YhxCQy3HnizzeRBJBYVwxc1YUjDe9pJQ~sfARN9EqixcD81oy5dObxvSKDQRHynrBYkm7eY~1EFbin8W-5ky-XnM9t73GoqxPz3MNoJIIt4c~xfWsLtNSpz6yyU2fc8GleEts1ZSfVyeFgG5oW2JFot~RkbAkdzHx8d9DGHSOdC9pTSkvdDvhBp~WGLID0PWJr4iYZr5mxHzyuh~AhADIWcYvmibZnClY2K2Ya9-DJCczIgKEKBMi26PQJeD9Nhy3AlCOEhnV7U-aetzWT72degkoyk0yuQaD6zt~homGq5LCneg54yF65EqmLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pullman, WA","date","2025-04-25T01:02:05.4Z","article","Whitman County Assessor Raylene Flodine told the Pullman City Council on April 22 that the county has started a multi‑year effort to bring property assessments up to current market levels after years in which statistical updates were not performed consistently.

Flodine said the assessor’s office found Pullman market values had risen sharply while portions of Pullman had not been statistically updated, producing large differences in assessed values that are now being corrected. “We looked at the entire county, noticed that the entire county needed at the very least a 15% increase,” Flodine said. She added the office is now aiming for about an 85% ratio of assessed value to market value going forward.

Why it matters: property taxes are calculated by applying levy rates for multiple taxing districts to assessed values. Rapid assessment increases can translate into steep tax bills for homeowners even when levy rates fall, council members and residents warned.

Flodine said the county’s previous six‑year revaluation plan had split Pullman so parts were inspected in different years; her office rewrote that plan and in 2025 is updating Pullman in a single cycle to avoid the split. She described four broad options the Department of Revenue and the county Board of Equalization considered for addressing long‑running mismatches, and said the board opted not to re‑open past tax years because redoing a tax year would require an extensive temporary expansion of staff and would be costly.

Residents detailed the effect on households. John Swenson, a Pullman resident, cited Washington statutes requiring property to be valued at 100% of market and county assessors to maintain continuous revaluation, saying the split revaluation had placed an “undue tax burden” on Pullman homeowners. Natalie Heron, who said her taxes approximately doubled since purchase in 2022, and Sheree Collins, who described a six‑figure assessment disparity with nearby homes, asked how homeowners can respond.

Flodine said change‑of‑value notices are the opportunity for owners to contest or provide additional evidence. “They have 30 days from the date of notice. They can come in and talk to us if we have made a scrivener’s error or they feel that it is just extremely high,” she said. The assessor’s office also said it accepts fee appraisals and will honor them where appropriate.

Flodine described the assessor office’s limited staffing: two accredited real property appraisers, one GIS technician, a segregation clerk who handles sales processing and boundary adjustments, and a part‑time administrative assistant. She said the office is increasing outreach and has been promoting the senior exemption program at senior lunches and community events.

On exemptions and relief: Flodine said the county’s senior/disabled/veteran exemption program is available to qualifying residents and that qualifying preserves a frozen property value while the owner remains in the program. She gave eligibility details: applicants must be 61 or older (one spouse may be younger if meeting other criteria), and income thresholds are set by state ratios; the assessor said the local threshold recently adjusted (example cited: roughly $40,400). The assessor said staff will help applicants complete forms and accept mailed, emailed or in‑person submissions.

Council members pressed for clearer advance warning about large neighborhood spikes and asked whether other Washington counties face similar backlogs. Flodine said other counties—including neighboring Asotin and larger counties—have seen similar problems and that Benton County previously raised its assessment ratio toward market to reduce disparities. She said the county intends to keep up with market changes going forward by combining physical inspections on a six‑year cycle with annual statistical updates.

What residents can do next: homeowners who receive change‑of‑value notices should review them promptly and, if they disagree, bring appraisals or income documentation (for rental properties) to the assessor’s office during the 30‑day notice period. Flodine also encouraged eligible seniors, disabled residents and certain veterans to seek the exemption forms on the assessor’s website or by calling the office for help.

Ending note: Council members said they will share county guidance and encourage residents to contact the assessor’s office, and some asked the city to help spread information about exemptions and appeal steps.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-22 Pullman City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Whitman County Assessor Raylene Flodine told the Pullman City Council on April 22 that the county has started a multi‑year effort to bring property assessments up to current market levels after years in which statistical updates were not performed consistently.","taxTitle","Pullman, Whitman County, Washington","taxId",59132,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262089,"Votes at a glance: Pullman council approves appointment, consent agenda and commission goals",1739,2063000,3802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c&start=2063&end=3802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c/thumbnail_2063000.jpg","/articles/6262089/Pullman/Whitman-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Pullman-council-approves-appointment-consent-agenda-and-commission-goals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262089-714586bc5a2278d7e78e92af9e723fdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157991&Signature=iMDwraeT5jZfcNGX94gD7rxm3fAqhXg39YHbnROuzemGQxMeN1g8GJkRPtAJyV90eydCZDTxMfvR4-aCQ3m7UPnNudIDnnGGFPIVNllK5kLDfF8hQPObVB3yOwMSuPPY34LVQg-AQf~KqUEISLdH8ejVef3bPrTJi~55zZEG1qdrCFBLOEmhrJX4Po8NLffTKg2vYRLr-Pk1U~xnpdjmh~gmgFhD4eDp2sBFbhPr4FDD61oF-4NcScEFbTUAT-HvWTKmXf1xUt3wdw~Qfg2EwBsRGET-S6npVKR1ge13Pm~85DX1jdlaiXLqUSiLId4WtMDHUYWk4VIBY5~L49tjcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its regular meeting on April 22, the Pullman City Council took three formal actions recorded in the minutes: a confirmation appointment, approval of the consent agenda including disbursements and procurement authorizations, and approval of two commissions’ 2025 goals.

Confirmed appointment
David Drumheller — The council approved the mayor’s recommendation to confirm David Drumheller to the Veil Service Commission for a term expiring December 30, 2031. Council members voted verbally in favor; no opposed votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Consent agenda (approved)
The council approved the full consent agenda by unanimous voice vote. Items listed in the consent agenda included (as presented by staff):
- Approval of the regular meeting minutes of April 8, 2025.
- Disbursement approvals: accounts payable checks 201130104–201130164 totaling $330,662.90; accounts payable and recreation refund checks 201130165–201130337 totaling $579,905.09; payroll checks 201130338–201130352 and electronic transfers (numbers 249–260 and 267) totaling $1,744,336.01.
- Authorization to procure a new sewer camera van (replace vehicle no. 06‑187).
- Authorization to procure a new front‑end loader to replace unit no. 00‑250.
- Authorization for water and sewer general materials contracts and to execute related agreements.
- Acceptance of Tank 12 contract as complete.
The council approved the consent agenda motion; no roll‑call tally of individual council votes was recorded beyond unanimous voice approval.

Commission goals approved
Environmental Resilience Commission and Historic Preservation Commission — Council approved both commissions’ 2025 goals and objectives as presented. Council discussion noted the proposals were ambitious; councilors asked staff to sequence commission goals with citywide two‑year goals in future cycles and to clarify that commissions typically seek grants and private donations to support their work.

Notes on procedure
Motions were made and seconded from the council dais; recorded votes were by voice (ayes recorded) and no formal roll‑call tallies were included in the published minutes for these items. If additional vote detail is required, the city clerk’s official minutes and meeting audio are the primary records.

","The Pullman City Council on April 22 confirmed an appointment to the Veil Service Commission, approved the consent agenda (including multiple disbursements and procurement authorizations), and approved 2025 goals for the Environmental Resilience and Historic Preservation commissions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262094,"WSU students press council to fund small accessibility fixes at Harrison Lot behind Rose House",115,684000,799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c&start=684&end=799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c/thumbnail_684000.jpg","/articles/6262094/Pullman/Whitman-County/Washington/WSU-students-press-council-to-fund-small-accessibility-fixes-at-Harrison-Lot-behind-Rose-House","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262094-dbf7a6b924b15b2c459cf05683d394b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157991&Signature=SLMFHGekep9CiJNPijVQOSzL-uTUITAh2-H~lcjnepkMNlgmvEAMcED2DnddJcC3RKG-k8NGrO01cSU~vnpPTBCSQR~aNpaelJX3eUjaHYPcvs~btZvnboDdD4yG-ZYLXioc6hXlVt-gqUFQF8jgpbl3l7tG~0vQWT7g2-prB0DnAPAS7D9buW3IZHSgNU8AIq~CbyABCY8E4dzadE5eykgG~7ZmD4TgFijM-UIVTBUknh94BwhlupPOLwuyv3HVB7wvSWhLzBkd502b26z8TgIAbxrw88SoluvaTRTPjHkf4vR3lNezs4qDJeqcUj6FIae0wQCtVxJu~sS6S2OLSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three Washington State University students presenting on behalf of the Disability Action Center Northwest asked the Pullman City Council on April 22 to support a small accessibility project at the Harrison Lot behind Rose House.

The presenters — identified as Emily, Catherine Hubbard and Sophia Reeves — said a neighborhood survey had found roughly 60% of respondents considered the lot inaccessible. They cited three primary barriers: a steep slope that exceeded ADA recommendations, a ramp that allowed entry but not safe exit for users of mobility devices, and no accessible parking space adjacent to the park.

Their recommendation included installing a compacted gravel path, an ADA‑compliant plastic ramp system and one accessible parking stall near the park. The students provided cost estimates from their research: a full set of improvements would likely cost between about $4,000 and $12,000; using existing materials and in‑house labor could reduce that to roughly $6,000–$7,000. The project timeline, they said, could be a few weeks once materials and labor were on hand.

Why it matters: the students framed the proposal as a modest investment to remove barriers for families and children with mobility devices and to create long‑term accessibility improvements for the neighborhood.

Council did not take a formal vote on the suggestion during the meeting. The students left contact information and a pamphlet and the city clerk accepted the handout.

Ending note: the presentation was given during the public comment portion of the meeting; no direct council appropriation or staff assignment was recorded in the transcript that night.","Three WSU students presented a capstone service‑learning project for Disability Action Center Northwest proposing low‑cost accessibility improvements to the Harrison Lot behind Rose House, including a compacted gravel path, ADA plastic ramps and a designated accessible parking stall with an estimated cost of $4,000–$12,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262103,"Pullman economic development manager outlines 2024 work, child care and downtown priorities for 2025",520,2888000,3408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c&start=2888&end=3408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116089-0ba7cfea02f27773ef289ba5f065444c/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6262103/Pullman/Whitman-County/Washington/Pullman-economic-development-manager-outlines-2024-work-child-care-and-downtown-priorities-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262103-8edd06a31a3979f4c9749661ce1f5653/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157991&Signature=cyhsg~GDfT~238WUT05zODVlmM3IgzskxJIm0FbMzNzYSQkey-NR~g3d9aumhktOz90drgv8Kgi4HKx6QwU8Rku4RCKWg-qZgxqMM-Ac3EpvnYujWEwpo98i8oIU9R1I-L118qZe8piETK9jSt5MrxfkJJIr4bxE7OPBxO2uzC~DT9FGQazhLD10MPT66GTrAR3EE8x2LC7UaIn6kuSPiU4gTv6gu5f2s7r1y4U69IEeggCos7WcKmzEIs6pCjiQSkS3tnFm9FPGICLzTchZcmoM84eMWNDGfbrRWDYhfW1h1cJqcdNg5BaR9uWE9UJfCtiLiEpXyH0I-bXmRicB0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sean Miller, Pullman’s economic development manager, presented the department’s 2024 achievements and a work plan for 2025 at the April 22 council meeting, emphasizing support for startups, business retention and child care solutions.

Miller said economic development work in 2024 included a SCALE program that provided extended advising to 11 businesses, shorter coaching to dozens more and nearly 400 business licenses or endorsements processed citywide. “We actually worked with 11 businesses, hand in hand,” he told the council, describing multilayered coaching from business planning to marketing and lease negotiations.

Why it matters: Miller said local entrepreneurship helps keep revenue in the community and supports jobs; downtown vacancies and childcare shortages both limit growth and workforce participation.

Key initiatives for 2025 Miller described:
- Business retention and expansion (BR&E) outreach targeting high‑impact sectors and underused commercial space. He said staff will contact prospective businesses and property owners and use a regional gap analysis to seek tenants that match Pullman demand.
- Collaboration with Washington State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship to pilot 5–10 business concepts using a 30‑minute drive‑time gap analysis to identify retail categories with unmet demand.
- Support for Gladys Community Center’s coworking and flexible‑space efforts to reduce overhead for startups.
- Child care: Miller said affordability and operator recruitment are barriers. He described work with local partners and with Childcare Aware of Eastern Washington and said existing facilities need support to remain viable while the city and partners look for sustainable models.

Council members asked about web resources, landlord engagement, rent levels and the downtown vacancy mix. Miller said an economic development web page with start‑up guides and links is near completion and that his outreach strategy often begins with one‑on‑one contact with property owners; he also cited WhitmanCountyTrends.org as a local data source showing commercial rent differentials between Whitman County and Spokane.

On child care, Miller said the sector faces narrow margins and certification requirements that make it hard to recruit operators. He said partners are exploring facility conversions (for example, using under‑utilized church space) and public‑private collaboration but added that many potential operators see low profitability and regulatory hurdles.

Miller repeated that economic development is “a team sport” that relies on the Port, WSU, Gladys Community Center and other partners. He closed by urging the council to publicize department resources and to continue building relationships with property owners and regional partners.

Ending note: Council members praised Miller’s outreach and asked staff to continue sharing data and resources; Miller said more materials and a refreshed web presence are coming in the following weeks.
","Sean Miller, Pullman's economic development manager, told the city council the department worked with dozens of startups in 2024, plans to prioritize business retention and expansion in 2025, and highlighted child care, vacant downtown space and a WSU entrepreneurship collaboration as key priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whitman County assessor explains sharp reassessments in Pullman; residents press for relief

Votes at a glance: Pullman council approves appointment, consent agenda and commission goals

WSU students press council to fund small accessibility fixes at Harrison Lot behind Rose House

Pullman economic development manager outlines 2024 work, child care and downtown priorities for 2025