BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Property tax receipts hit record highs in 2017.
The U.S. Census Bureau released data in mid-March showing state and local taxes hit their highest receipts nationally in 2017, at over 804 billion dollars combined.
Property tax receipts nationally rose 5.68% last year.
Locally, Whatcom County property tax receipts are expected to jump 15% this year, due in great part to a 26% rise in the state school levy portion of the total tax bill.
County Assessor Keith Willnauer says the increase in the state school levy has impacted all counties statewide.
Cuts to the state levy and a cap on local school levies are both set to take effect in 2019.