Tel Aviv, Israel Mayor Ron Huldai visits South Lake Union

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SOUTH LAKE UNION – Tel Aviv, Israel Mayor Ron Huldai (third from left) joins Mike McQuaid, president of the South Lake Union Community Council, Dr. Meggie Navon, North American Vice President of the Tel Aviv Foundation, Lori Mason Curran, vice president of Real Estate Strategy for Vulcan Inc., along with Seattle Department of Transportation’s Eric Tweit and Jon Layzer, Tuesday afternoon at South Lake Union's Discovery Center. Mayor Huldai's visit to Seattle and South Lake Union was part of a 10-day North American visit.

South Lake Union Community Council appoints Matthew Curry to board

SOUTH LAKE UNION – Longtime Seattle resident Matthew Curry has been appointed to the board of directors of the South Lake Union Community Council. A stakeholder in the rapidly developing South Lake Union neighborhood, Curry has worked as Research and Operation Manager for University of Washington Medicine at South Lake Union since 2007.  He has a strong history of community service including participation with the Community Council’s Policy and Planning Committee, board leadership with the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce and service on numerous community stakeholder and advisory groups.

“Matthew Curry brings a trusted connection to higher education for South Lake Union along with understanding the importance of balancing our neighborhood’s history with the current needs of an evolving community. He consistently looks for areas of shared interest among the businesses and residents of our community,” South Lake Union Community Council President Mike McQuaid said.

Curry’s career has spanned 25 years in communications, public affairs and project management roles.  In his current position as Research Operations Manager at UW Medicine at South Lake Union, which has a site population of over 1,500, Curry supports over 100 basic science research labs and administrative offices.

Curry grew up on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill and has a Master in Public Administration from the Evans School at the University of Washington.

He was appointed at the Community Council’s November 3 meeting to fill the vacant Board Position No. 1 through the end of its term, which concludes in June.

The South Lake Union Community Council meets regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at the Museum of History and Industry at Lake Union Park.  Its annual elections take place in June. For more information visit SLUCommunityCouncil.org.

About The South Lake Union Community Council The recognized South Lake Union neighborhood leadership organization by the City of Seattle, the South Lake Union Community Council is the steward of the SLU neighborhood plan and collaboratively with community stakeholders authored the SLU Urban Design Framework and the SLU/Uptown Mobility Plan. The South Lake Union Community Council meets monthly (4 – 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month) at the Museum of History and Industry in South Lake Union. To learn more visit SLUCommunityCouncil.org.

Your property valuation explained in just three minutes

SOUTH LAKE UNION – King County is the 13th largest county in the U.S. and has grown at the second fastest rate among large urban counties in America.  And South Lake Union is a catalyst to that growth. In a presentation to the South Lake Union community King County Assessor Lloyd Hara answered many of the questions that property owners have regarding valuations.

“One of the top questions that I am asked is  ‘Are my taxes directly affected by property valuations?’ “, Hara told Tuesday's meeting of the South Lake Union Community Council at the Museum of History and Industry.

For more information visit the King County Assor's Office or to learn more about your property values in under three minutes see the presentation below.

South Lake Union Community Council

Assessors’ Office launches interactive LocalScape app which showcases property values and community trends

Thank you for having the Assessor come and speak at the South Lake Union Community Council.

https://vimeo.com/140985589

Prezi Presentation Link here

King County Assessor Facts on Property Values

1. How does the King County Assessor’s Office determine property values, and where can I find more information?

Washington State law requires all Assessor’s to value land as vacant first, and then analyze sales and market trends of a variety of properties based on size, year built, quality of construction, and other characteristics. The 2015 property values are set as of January 1, 2015, based on sales of comparable properties in the same area.

We annually value more than 700,000 King County properties and physically inspect one-sixth of them.

Assessor Lloyd Hara is an advocate for taxpayers and for open, transparent, and accountable government. You can find all market sales in our 2015 Area Reports and should visit LocalScape to search for area sales and individual property info.

2. In this rising real estate market, will my property taxes increase at the same rate as my property valuation?

No, the Assessor’s Office sets property valuations. It does not set taxes, and there is not an automatic percentage increase correlation between your property value increase and future property taxes. King County taxpayers who need advice and assistance with property tax related matters, including appeals, should contact the King County Tax Advisor at 206-477-1060 or by email at taxadvisor@kingcounty.gov.

There are three key factors that determine your tax rates:

3. Are there limits to how much government entities can raise property taxes?

Yes, local Taxing Districts (such as the county, cities, fire districts, etc.) are limited to an annual 1 percent budget increase, plus new construction    value – regardless of how much property values increase or decrease.

For example, if a city receives $1 million in property taxes, it can only levy and receive $1.01 million the next year, plus revenue from new construction. The only exception occurs when voters approve measures.

4. Who sets property taxes, and how are property tax dollars allocated?

The Assessor does NOT set property taxes. Each year, property taxes are determined by a combination of your state and local government (schools, roads, parks, libraries, hospitals, city and county government), and your local Taxing Districts such as ports, fire districts, utility and sewer districts.

The King County Treasury’s Office, NOT the Assessor, is responsible for collecting and distributing property tax revenue to state and local governments. In 2015, King County received 17.5 cents of every property tax dollar.

King County taxpayers, who need advice and assistance with property tax related matters, should contact the King County Tax Advisor at    206-263-9700 or by email at taxadvisor@kingcounty.gov.

5. How do I request more information about the value placed on my property?

Property owners with questions for the Assessor’s Office should contact us at 206-296-7300 or email assessor.info@kingcounty.gov. If you feel we have made an error in the characteristics of your property, you can request that the data be reviewed or explained by an appraiser and an Assessment Review can be initiated.

6. How do I appeal the value of my property?

Appeals are filed with an independent agency of King County – the Board of Equalization. The Board is made up of citizens who are not employees of King County and who are appointed by the King County Executive and confirmed by the King County Council. The goal of most appeals is to prove that the assessed value exceeds the fair market value as of January 1 of the assessment year and provide sufficient evidence for the Board to determine what the most probable fair market value is. The Board’s determination of fair market value can be more than, less than, or equal to the original assessed value.

Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/appeals for additional information about the appeal process and for the resources to file either on-line using eAppeals or by paper using the downloadable forms.

7. What exemptions are available for qualified seniors, veterans, and disabled property owners?

The Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5186, which increased the qualifying income from $35,000 annual gross income to $40,000 for the senior/disability property tax exemption.

This income change is not retroactive and will be applied to 2016 property taxes and subsequent years.

The King County Assessor’s Office administers this exemption program for low-income seniors (61 years of age or older) and property owners with disabilities. Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive a standard, partial, or full exemption. In addition, the value of your home will be frozen at the valuation of the initial application year and any property tax reduction does not have to be repaid upon transfer of ownership.

To check your eligibility or for more information, contact the Assessor’s Office at 206.296.3920 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor/Forms.aspx.

Senate Bill 5186 also raised the income limit from $40,000 to $45,000 for the deferral program, which delays property taxes for seniors and the disabled until a later date. Under the deferral program, the Washington State Department of Revenue pays the property taxes and any special assessments on the property owner’s behalf. The deferred amount, plus interest, becomes a lien on the home until the total amount is repaid.

To be eligible, the homeowner must be either at least 60 years old, unable to work because of a disability, or be at least 57 years old and the surviving spouse or partner of someone who was receiving a deferral at the time of death.

Property valuations, Let's Move Seattle and public benefits at Tuesday’s SLU Community Council meeting at MOHAI

Join your neighbors Tuesday afternoon at the South Lake Union Community Council October meeting at the Museum of History and Industry as we hear about SLU property valuations from King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, are briefed by Let's Move Seattle on the upcoming Proposition 1 transportation ballot measure and are updated on the public benefits status of the City of Seattle’s vacation of the Broad Street corridor. The meeting gets underway at 4 p.m. All are welcome! King County is the 13th largest county in the U.S. and grew at the second fastest rate amongst large urban counties in America. If you’re interested in property data in the neighborhood, development, real estate trends and valuations or senior/disabled property exemptions, county assessor Hara will provide an update on property values in the region and a live demonstration of LocalScape, a new interactive data portal to track area and property value changes online.

With Let’s Move Seattle, voters will have an opportunity this November to renew our transportation levy to help fund new transportation choices to relieve congestion, take care of the infrastructure we have, and focus on safety – all with immediate impacts on the South Lake Union Community.

Read the SLU Community Council October 2015 Agenda.

Bring a friend and join us at 4 p.m. this Tuesday!

WHAT: South Lake Union Community Council October Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 (4 p.m.)

WHERE: Museum of History and Industry, 860 Terry Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109

WHY: Meet your neighbors and discuss issues important to South Lake Union and Cascade Neighborhoods

AGENDA: South Lake Union Community Council October 2015 Agenda

GETTING THERE: Take the Seattle Street Car to the Lake Union Park stop, walk, bike or park in street-side public parking along Valley Street and Westlake Ave.

Seattle City Council candidates debate in South Lake Union

SOUTH LAKE UNION – Sally Bagshaw (left), who is vying for the new District 7 city council position along with Deborah Zech-Artis (center), makes a point during Thursday’s Seattle City Council Candidate Forum in South Lake Union as moderator C.R. Douglas of Q13 FOX looks on. Along with the District 7 candidates, the forum hosted by the South Lake Union Community Council and South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce, included Bill Bradburd, who is vying for the city-wide District 9 position, and Jon Grant a candidate for the other city-wide position in District 8.

Lorena González (District 9) and Tim Burgess (District 8), who had been scheduled to participate, were unable to attend.

“Our city and the South Lake Union neighborhood are faced with a number of important issues as we grow and look to improve our transportation infrastructure,” said South Lake Union Community Council board member John Pehrson, chair of the planning committee for the forum at the 415 Westlake events venue. “We had plenty of good and interesting questions from the audience. Our candidates did a terrific job.”

The candidate forum was among nine forums and debates taking place throughout the City of Seattle that are listed by the Seattle City Club leading up to the November elections.

About The South Lake Union Community Council The recognized South Lake Union neighborhood leadership organization by the City of Seattle, the South Lake Union Community Council is the steward of the SLU neighborhood plan and collaboratively with community stakeholders authored the SLU Urban Design Framework and the SLU / Uptown Mobility Plan. The South Lake Union Community Council meets monthly (4 – 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month) at the Museum of History and Industry in South Lake Union. To learn more visit SLUCommunityCouncil.org.

About the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce The SLU Chamber was formed to drive, expand and preserve the economic, civic and cultural development of the South Lake Union area for the prosperity of its people.  To learn more visit SLUChamber.org

Join Us for the Next SLUCC Board Meeting

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 (4 – 6 p.m.)

Museum of History and Industry | Lake Union Park | 860 Terry Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109

AGENDA

1. Welcome & Introductions (Mike McQuaid) (5 min)
2. Establish a Quorum (1 min)
3. Approval of Minutes:  June 2015 (Erin Maher) (5 min)
4. Public Comments (10 min)
5. Executive Reports (15 min) •    President’s Report (Mike McQuaid) ~ Welcome new board members ~ Retreat Overview:  Executive Officers / 2015-16 Priorities ~ Cascade / SLU Community Visits: Mayor Ed Murray (July 11), King County Councilmember Larry Phillips (July 17) •    Vice President’s Report (Erin Maher) •    Treasurer’s Report (Kyle Ducey) ~ Gift Expense Authorization - Outgoing Board Members Completing Two Full Terms $137.82 (APPROVED via eMail on July 7) ~ Fiscal Sponsorship ~ Annual Budget
6. Presentations  (30 min) •    Washington State Representative Brady Walkinshaw
7.  Committee Reports (20 min) •    Policy & Planning (Jerry Dinndorf) ~ Public Benefit Priorities / Broad Street Vacation •    Transportation (Kyle Ducey) •    Communications (Edlira Kuka) •    Placemaking (Ben Grace)
8. Neighborhood Reports  (15 min) •    Cascade Neighborhood (Jean Hedrick) •    Lake Union Park Working Group (Aislinn Palmer) •    SLU Chamber of Commerce (Danah Abarr) •    Public Safety / Community Policing Update (Officer Sam Cook, Seattle Police Dept.) •    City of Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods (Tim Durkan, Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods) ~ DON Alcohol Policy Letter of Support
9. Old Business (15 min) •    Bylaw Amendments (Placemaking Committee / Constituent Representation) (Mike McQuaid) •    City Council Candidate Forum (John Pehrson) •    Denny Substation Report - (John Pehrson) •    Sister Cities Westlake Micro Parks (Jim Goodspeed)
10. New Business / Other Business (5 min) •    Adopt-A-Street in Cascade and South Lake Union (Mike McQuaid)
11. Next Meeting SLU Community Council Regular Monthly Meeting: Tues., Sept. 1, 2015 (4 – 6 p.m. MOHAI Conference Room, Lake Union Park)
12. Adjourn

Join State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw at Tuesday's SLU Community Council Meeting

Please join Washington State Representative Brady Walkinshaw (D-43rd) for the first South Lake Union Community Council meeting of the 2015-16 year as we discuss issues critical to the South Lake Union and Cascade communities.  The regular monthly meeting gets underway at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Museum of History and Industry at Lake Union Park.  All are welcome!

Among the topics on the August Agenda are our community priorities for the coming year, mobility and transportation along with the public benefit priorities of the community in regards to the City of Seattle’s proposed vacation of the South Lake Union Broad Street corridor.

State Representative Walkinshaw is among a number of prominent state, county and city elected officials to join the South Lake Union Community Council’s general meetings, committee meetings and walking tours in the past year including Washington State Representative Gael Tarleton, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, King County Council Chair Larry Phillips, Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw and Tom Rasmussen and Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

WHAT: South Lake Union Community Council Monthly Meeting WHEN: Tuesday, August, 4, 2015 (4 – 6 p.m.) WHERE: Museum of History and Industry (860 Terry Ave. North, Seattle, WA  98109)  206.324.1126 WHY: Meet State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw and your South Lake Union and Cascade neighbors!  Have an impact with issues important in your neighborhood!

LEARN MORE:  http://www.SLUCommunityCouncil.org