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Assessor explains why Benton City's property-tax rate is low and how the 1% levy cap works
Summary
Benton County assessor staff told the council that Washington's 1% levy-limit caps a city's total property-tax revenue growth, not individual bills, and showed Benton City's 2026 levy calculations (new construction added $14,455.14; administrative refund $1,386.76), leaving the city's levy at about $0.68 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Danielle H., chief deputy assessor for Benton County, told the Benton City Council on April 21 that Washington law limits a city's total property-tax revenue to a 1% increase each year unless voters approve a higher amount.
"The 1% limit is based on the city's total levy, not home values," Danielle H. said, adding that home values can rise or fall independently and that new construction, annexations and state-assessed utilities can provide small, one-time increases without voter approval. She said new construction in Benton City added $14,455.14 to levy capacity last year and pointed out an administrative refund of $1,386.76…
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