In late May, it's the revaluation notices on which the next February's tax statements will be based. Yours is in the mail if not already in your hands if you are among the Kitsap County property owners whose valuation will change significantly from this year to next. Almost all of the 67,235 property owners will see increases in their assessed valuation. Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap property holders will see the largest increases, Kitsap County Assessor Jim Avery said. Avery said increases are likely to happen annually as long as higher property values in King and Snohomish counties drive up values on this side of the water as a result of market demand.
Assessors inspect about one-sixth of the property in the county every year.
The statements mailed this week represent visits to Poulsbo, Vinland, Keyport, Lofall and Port Gamble, all in North Kitsap, and Long Lake and Burley, both in South Kitsap. Avery's office applies market analysis of all sales to every property not visited, and that can increase the valuation. Of the 67,235 notices being sent, about 21,000 result from an in-person visit. There are about 110,000 properties in the county. The number of roperty owners receiving notices of significant changes this year is larger than in the past, Avery said.