Chelan County Assessor

Levies

Levies are the total amount of money to be raised from the property tax, as set forth in the budget for the local government or tax jurisdiction, also called a taxing district. The cost of providing public services determines your property tax.  Local government consists of various taxing districts including fire districts, regional library, cities, county government, roads, hospitals, ports and many others. The levy, whether higher or lower than the preceding year, is determined by the budget-making authority of the local government. A portion of the tax is distributed to the state for local school support. In addition, taxes are collected to pay for special voter-approved levies, such as school maintenance and operation levies and bonds and emergency medical levies. The levy rate (or tax rate) is expressed as dollars per $1,000 of assessed value.

Each year the commissioners or directors of each taxing district meet in open session to adopt a budget for the following year. The district submits the budget to the Assessor, who verifies that the budget is within statutory and constitutional limitations, and computes the required levy rate. The levy rate is the amount to be collected divided by the total assessed value of the geographic area the district serves, and is expressed in dollars per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.  The formula for determining a taxing district’s levy rate looks like this:

Taxing District Budget (limited to 1% growth) ÷ Taxing District Assessed Value x 1,000 = Levy Rate

In reviewing the formula, you will note that when assessed values rise and the taxing district budget is a fixed amount, the levy rate decreases. When assessed values fall and the taxing district budget is a fixed amount, the levy rate increases. In both cases, the levy rate is adjusted to generate adequate revenues to fund the taxing district’s budget.

Posted: 12/11/2014 02:13 PM
Last Updated: 07/27/2015 10:25 AM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 07
    Jun 2025
    09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - June 7, 2025

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Drop-off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is June 7.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 06
    Jun 2025
    11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Veterans Hall Blood Drive June 6

    Posted by: Veterans Program

    Veterans Hall Blood Drive June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Wenatchee Veterans Hall
  • 28
    May 2025
    06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - May 28, 2025

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person.
  • 21
    May 2025
    01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - May 21,2025

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person at 400 Douglas St.