ASOTIN - Confusion over Asotin County levies is leading to a busy Assessor’s Office last week.

"We were absolutely slammed with phone calls and people coming in," said Asotin County Assessor Chris Wood last week. "The biggest concern was both with the M and O for the Asotin-Anatone School District and the Clarkston School District, that they would be over and above what they were already seeing on their tax bills for the school districts. It's not. What they are paying this year is from the last time they voted on the M and Os. If these M and O's pass, which is maintenance and operation, it goes in effect in 2011."

And it was just that question that prompted Clarkston homeowner Leonard Castle to contact the Assessor's Office.

"There wasn't enough explanation about the levy and they never told us that it was to replace an existing levy in the ballot and they never told us how much difference there was between the existing levy and the new levy," said Castle.

To make the confusion worse, 25 percent of homeowners received their new assessed value this month. And levy rates are based on assessed value per thousand dollars.

"We are seeing this huge increase in values when nationally they are being told that the bottom has dropped out of the real estate market, which is not the case in Asotin County," said Wood. "Again, it is a four year increase and we have seen a 30-40 percent increase in values from four years ago."

Castle said he is facing a big jump in value, which means a big jump in property taxes, all while his fixed income remains the same.

"It's a sticker shock for me and as a retiree," said Castle. "I have to plan ahead of time for my taxes and lay the money aside because the taxes have grown so large that I cannot afford to come up with it all at one time."

Castle said that it's not that he's against supporting kids or even the school levies, just that the information was not communicated clearly on the ballot. And he is not alone.

"I have heard from some people that they felt it wasn't worded very well but that's what we are here for, just give us a call, stop in, just ask," said Wood.

"I support the schools but at the same time I do not want to get myself financially in trouble to where I have to sell my home or even sell my home and move," said Castle.


Leonard Castle is worried about property tax hikes that could force him to move.