The Assessor does not raise property values in order to increase taxes. 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, ports, etc. 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 Assessor sets the levy rates based on taxing district budget requests, statutory limits and property values. Levy rates are expressed in dollars per thousand dollars of assessed value.