Oak Harbor property tax to increase

The Oak Harbor City Council increased the property tax levy by 1 percent Wednesday following a short discussion. Oak Harbor Finance Director Doug Merriman explained that 1 percent was the maximum amount the council could increase the levy by without a vote of the people. Under state law, such a tax increase is limited to the lesser of 1 percent or the implicit price deflator, which is a measure of inflation. The IPD to be utilized for 2013 is 1.295 percent.

November 9, 2012 5:49 pm

The Oak Harbor City Council increased the property tax levy by 1 percent Wednesday following a short discussion.

Oak Harbor Finance Director Doug Merriman explained that 1 percent was the maximum amount the council could increase the levy by without a vote of the people. Under state law, such a tax increase is limited to the lesser of 1 percent or the implicit price deflator, which is a measure of inflation. The IPD to be utilized for 2013 is 1.295 percent.

The 1 percent increase will bring in an extra $40,826 in property taxes next year.

The measure to increase the levy passed unanimously, although councilwomen Tara Hizon and Beth Munns were absent.