Lacey commission begins formal review of Bowker House special tax-valuation application

The Lacey Historical Commission on Oct. 15, 2025 began a formal review of a special property tax-valuation application for the Bowker House at 915 Lacey Street after staff said the property owner submitted additional documentation required by Thurston County.

Jen Burbage, director of Parks, Culture and Recreation, introduced the item and said the county gives property owners until Oct. 1 to provide supporting documents; the owner met that deadline and the commission will make a recommendation to City Council at its November meeting. "This can be a really difficult benefit to receive as there's a lot of hoops to jump through, and many of the eligibility requirements make it a challenge," Burbage said.

Erin (staff member), who presented details of the application and the technical requirements, described how the special valuation works and the legal standards the commission must apply. "It's a financial incentive. The only basic real benefit that we can give to properties on the register ... it reduces their property tax by subtracting the amount that they put into the renovation from their value, so it just…