What is the tax impact?
The 2007 current total tax rate for Bellingham schools is $3.28. Bellingham has the second lowest total tax rate of the seven Whatcom County school districts, which average $3.95. Approval of the levies will not cause Bellingham’s total rate to go up. Bellingham’s rate would even decrease slightly to $3.25-$3.27 throughout the duration of the four-year levies.

How is this possible?
Schools and districts do not receive more local funding as property values increase. Levies are based on a fixed dollar amount, not a percentage of assessed property values. When voters approve a levy, they authorize a school district to collect a fixed dollar amount. So, as property values increase and more people share in paying that fixed amount, the combined local tax rate for schools stays about the same or often decreases.

Is there a tax exemption for senior citizens and persons with disabilities?
Yes. Qualifying senior citizens and disabled persons may be exempt. For more information, call the County Assessor’s office at 676-6790.