All Posts in "Month: March 2022"

While real estate values have surged in Pierce County, statutory limits on property tax rates are holding tax increases to modest levels in 2022, according to the county’s tax man.

“In recent years, tax bills fluctuated due to the Legislature and local school districts responding to the McCleary court decision on school funding,” said Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan. “Last year, taxes settled down in most areas, and this year we see moderate increases in most parts of Pierce County, even a decrease in one area.”

Property tax statements for 2022 were mailed the week of Feb. 14 to more than 180,000 owners of residential and commercial land and buildings in Pierce County. For homes where the tax is paid through an escrow account, statements were sent to the bank or mortgage company. Payment is due in two halves, by May 2 and Oct. 31.

Countywide, property taxes this year total $1.76 billion, a 5.3 percent increase over 2020. In addition to schools, the taxes pay for city and county government, fire districts, emergency medical services (EMS), parks, libraries, roads, Port of Tacoma, Sound Transit, and flood control.  Fees for the conservation district, noxious weed control and surface water are also included.

The state and local portions for schools add up to 60 percent of all property taxes in Pierce County. The cities and county, including the road district, comprise 20 percent, and fire and EMS districts equal 10.9 percent.

The annual tax is determined by multiplying property value (in thousands of dollars) by the combined rate of all taxing districts where the property is located.  Unless there is a vote of the people, most taxing districts are limited to receiving 101 percent of last year’s property tax revenue, plus the taxes resulting from new construction, Lonergan explained.

No new local school levies or bonds were approved by the voters in 2021, and school levies approved at the polls in February this year will take effect beginning next year.  Voters in five fire districts–East Pierce, Steilacoom, Key Peninsula, Ashford and Crystal Mountain–approved multi-year levy lid lifts or renewed EMS levies, resulting in small tax increases this year.

Combined property taxes rose the most this year in the Bethel and Franklin Pierce school districts, with the cost to the average homeowner increasing by 11 percent, or more than $450. The smallest tax increases were just over $100 for average-valued houses in Steilacoom, Milton and Buckley.

Tacoma, Puyallup, Edgewood and Eatonville tax bills went up about $300 for the average home, while homes in Lakewood and Sumner increased about $250. Gig Harbor, Fife and DuPont were up around $200 per home, Lonergan said.

Residents of the Orting School District fared best this year, with taxes on the average home reduced by $575, due to decreases in a school construction bond and fire district tax rates. But part of those savings are replaced by a new fire benefit charge which is calculated differently than taxes.

Additional  information is available on the assessor-treasurer’s website and at 253-798-6111.

 

61-PLUS or DISABLED? YOU MIGHT BE EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAXES

Property tax exemptions for seniors and disabled persons for 2022 are available to citizens who were at least 61 by the end of 2021 or retired because of a disability, with an income of $45,708 or less. Exemptions must be renewed once every six years unless there is a change in status or income.

The exemption freezes the value of a home as of Jan. 1 of the initial application year, exempts the property from all excess levies, and may exempt a portion of regular levies. Taxes are calculated on the lesser of market value or frozen value.

Application forms and information is available at 253-798-6111 and piercecountywa.gov/assessor-treasurer for Pierce County landowners, and at assessor.info@kingcounty.gov, 206-296-7300, and kingcounty.gov for King County landowners.

srmedia by — March 30, 2022 in Personal Finance/Consumers

The 2022 session of the state Legislature led to a significant win for Washingtonians nearing retirement. With the passing of House Bill 1732, more than one million near-retirees are now covered by the WA Cares program to help pay for care services that keep us in our homes as we age.

WA Cares is the new public long-term care program. It provides Washingtonians with flexible and meaningful benefits ensuring families can choose the care setting and services that best meet their loved one’s needs. Based on a modest payroll contribution, vested and eligible employees will receive a benefit of $36,500 to help them access a wide array of choices, including in-home care aides, adult family homes, assisted living, and skilled-nursing facilities. The benefit can also pay for medical equipment like emergency-alert devices and services, including home modification, transportation, or meal preparation.

In December 2021, the Legislature paused the start of WA Cares to improve the program. Including benefits for near-retirees was the number one priority for AARP. The original legislation had a narrow path for those who would retire before the 10-year vesting requirement to be eligible for WA Cares. Payroll contributions to WA Cares will begin on July 1, 2023, and benefits will be available on July 1, 2026.

With the new legislation, Washington workers born before 1968 will qualify for partial benefits on a pro-rated basis, which equals 10 percent of the $36,500 benefit for each year they have paid into the fund. An eligible vesting year requires only 500 hours of work, so part-time workers will also qualify.

AARP surveys indicate that 77 percent of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age. However, a vast majority of respondents also said they would need to modify their homes for themselves or for loved ones to live safely, including bathroom modifications, ramps to address accessibility issues, or the purchase of an emergency-response system. These are costs that Medicare and private long-term care insurance often won’t cover, but WA Cares will.

WA Cares is a valuable new option for those who can’t get reliable private long-term care insurance. Only 7 percent of Washingtonians can afford it. Compound that with the fact that insurers often charge women more than men for the same policies, cancel policies with little or no notice, and deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Washingtonians will also only pay into the WA Cares Fund while working.

For many, the WA Cares Fund will be all families need. According to AARP research, 48 percent of people who need long-term care only need it for one year or less. And most don’t need full-time skilled nursing; they need a few hours of help each day with tasks like bathing, meal preparation, and transportation.

Without WA Cares, families will continue to drain their savings to afford care services. Only then will Medicaid step in to help pay for care, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for an exponential increase of new Medicaid enrollments due to the current age wave.

AARP is deeply committed to the success of WA Cares, not only for the change it will bring to older Washingtonians, but for the change it could inspire nationwide. Older adults are deeply in need of the financial assistance and flexibility that WA Cares provides, so they may age as they choose.  More information is available at wacaresfund.wa.gov.

 

Cathy MacCaul, who wrote this article, is AARP Washington’s advocacy director.

srmedia by — March 30, 2022 in News
Good old chicken noodle hits the ‘soup spot’

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a pot of savory and delicious soup simmering on the stove. And having the right seasonal staples on hand means you’ll be well on your way to having piping-hot meals on the table quickly and hassle-free.

Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with essential ingredients like onions, carrots and celery, along with a collection of earthy, zesty spices and versatile, all-purpose seasonings. You’ll also need a rich and all-natural stock handy, such as Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock. Simmered all day with chicken, vegetables and McCormick herbs and spices, this deeply flavored stock can bring a burst of savory warmth to countless dishes. It’s low on sodium so it’s a good-for-you start to many delicious meals beyond soup, like rice, sauces, and more.

Try this recipe for a hearty homemade chicken noodle soup loaded with tender veggies, chicken, egg noodles and robust flavor that puts this stock — aka “liquid gold” — front and center. All you need is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes cooking on your stovetop.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons McCormick Garlic, Herb and Black Pepper and Sea Salt All Purpose Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Turmeric
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 cartons (32 ounces each) Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock
  • 2 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook and stir 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in seasoning and turmeric; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  2. Transfer chicken to medium bowl; shred using two forks. Set aside. Stir noodles into broth, cook 6 minutes or until tender. Return shredded chicken to saucepan. Gently stir in peas. Sprinkle with parsley to serve, if desired.

 

Source: StatePoint Media

With the right ingredients and a dash of time, a hearty homemade chicken noodle soup is a snap to make.
srmedia by — March 24, 2022 in Food, People

The Pierce County Council has approved a plan to address homelessness countywide.

Immediate steps include establishing a regional office on homelessness and spending $9 million on short-term strategies. Among the latter are a pilot bus pass program and funding case management services for 1,000 people who are transitioning out of homelessness. Also on the short list of immediate action is the establishment of a shelter for temporary housing and transitioning people into permanent housing. The shelter’s location hadn’t been decided in mid-March, but it will be in an underserved, unincorporated area, council members said.

The council last year requested the plan’s development in the hope of creating a system in which any person entering homelessness has immediate access to shelter and a process for returning to permanent housing.

Also in 2021, the council allocated $253 million to fund housing and homelessness programs, including $19 million for affordable-housing development and $22 million for developing a future micro-home village.

About $65 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act is earmarked by the county to fund homeless resources such as increased shelter space and emergency shelters, and foreclosure prevention counseling.

The plan’s implementation will be overseen by the county’s Human Services Department, including an advisory board.

“We look forward to working with our community partners and creating safe homes for our unhoused residents,” said Heather Moss, the department’s director.

The county has “never had a true plan to end homelessness,” said Councilman Derek Young. “This is a unified approach created by people with lived experience, experts in the field, and service partners dedicated to finding homes for everyone.”

srmedia by — March 24, 2022 in News