Yamhill County Tax Assessor Derek Wharf Educates McMinnville on Property Tax Assessments

The McMinnville City Council held a regular meeting and work session on July 22, 2025, focusing on property tax assessments and the complexities surrounding them. The session featured a presentation by Derek Wharf, the Yamhill County tax assessor, who addressed questions raised by council members regarding property assessments in unique situations.

Wharf emphasized the importance of understanding the Oregon property tax system, particularly as it relates to local exemptions and assessments. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to educate the council and shared a series of questions that had been forwarded to him for discussion. The presentation included a PowerPoint that aimed to clarify key concepts such as real market value, maximum assessed value, and assessed value, which are crucial for understanding property taxes.

During the session, Wharf attempted to share educational videos designed to explain these concepts but faced technical difficulties with audio. Despite this setback, he provided a narrative overview of the videos, which illustrated how property values fluctuate and the implications of Measure 50, a law passed in 1997 that limits property tax increases.

Wharf explained that the assessed value of a property is determined by the lower of its real market value or maximum assessed value. He highlighted how this system can lead to varying tax bills for similar properties, depending on when they were built and assessed. The discussion also touched on the change property ratio (CPR), which affects how new construction is taxed based on the relationship between existing properties' values.

The meeting underscored the council's commitment to understanding local tax assessments and ensuring transparency in the property tax process. As the council continues to engage with these complex issues, further discussions and educational sessions are expected to enhance their knowledge and decision-making regarding property taxes in McMinnville.