First Google Data Center hits tax rolls; Bill just went up $5 Million
Property Taxes in Wasco County hit mailboxes this week.
By Tom Peterson
Total Wasco County Property Tax Assessments increased by $7.86 million when compared to the 21-22 tax rolls, presented by the Wasco County Assessor’s Office.
That’s a touch more than 18 percent or in other words a lot.
So what’s going on?
In large part, Google.
It is now the largest property taxpayer in Wasco County.
Wasco County Assessor Jill Amery
“The increases are in the assessed value for Google at $334,536,180 in addition to new construction, as well as the measure50, 3% increases,” said Wasco County Tax Assessor Jill Amery on Monday, Oct. 24.
“Google's tax bill is $5,258,841.84 for the project coming off of abatement,” she wrote. “They like others have the opportunity to take a 3% discount if paid in full by November 15, reducing the bill to $5,101,076.58.”
This amount will be distributed to the taxing districts that levy taxes in the project's tax code area. Those districts consist of nine general governments and three education districts.
That amount also included land that had been taxable during the abatement period. Google's first investment in The Dalles went online in 2007 and had been exempt for the past 15 years.
With the expiration of the enterprise zone, this property is fully taxable on the tax roll this
year.
It was also pointed out last year at a City of The Dalles Council meeting that Google would currently be the largest taxpayer in Wasco County if you included its enterprise zone agreement payments that total $2.85 million annually.
“This doesn't tell the whole story as there are a couple of other accounts under different names from Google or Design LLC that are not included here,” Amery said. “They add an additional $34,523.53. That would bring their total contribution in taxes to $5,461,357.75.”
More on Property Taxes
Last year Wasco County certified the 2021-22 tax roll of $43,117,293.48 on October 11, 2021. This year, Wasco County certified the 2022-23 tax roll of $50,986,561.74 on October 14, 2022.
The tax roll information can be found here.
From the Assessors Office:
Tax statements will be mailed by October 25.
The tax roll includes 30 districts and 3 special assessments; 1 County, 6 Cities, 3 Fire Districts, 9 other General Government Agencies, 6 School Districts, 3 Education Service Districts and 2 Community Colleges.
Sawdust flies as Sal Reyes, 35, of The Dalles cuts through an 8” x 6'“ beam at the construction site in the Port of The Dalles this morning, April 13. Reyes a framer for RBR Construction, said he originally hailed from Michoacán, Mexico. New construction was part of the reason for an overall increase in property taxes in Wasco County.
Click here to see Wasco County’s Top 10 Taxpayers.
Market Conditions:
Real market values continue to trend upward for most residential properties in Wasco County. Commercial properties saw a recovery and trended upward by single digits after a downward trend the prior year.
Assessed values will calculate the annual 3% increase. If major changes such as an addition, major remodel or new construction occurred an increase of more than 3% may result according to Measure 50.
Tax payments are due November 15, 2022. Payment in full by November 15, 2022, receives a 3% discount. If mailing it must be POSTMARKED on or before Nov. 15 (this postmark matters). Paying 2/3 by 11/15/2022 receives a 2% discount, a 1/3 payment does not receive a discount.
We are asking that citizens continue to utilize one of these preferred payment methods during this tax season.
Mail to our US Bank Processing Center PO Box in Portland. Include your payment coupon with your payment. If making a payment after 11/15, mail to 511 Washington St. #208, The Dalles, Or. 97058
Pay online. You can pay with an E‐check, debit or credit card at www.co.wasco.or.us or call 1‐844‐435‐ 3978 to make a payment over the phone. 2.50% fee for debit or credit. $2 for E-check.
Drop off payments in our Property Tax Payment drop box on 5th street by the stairs. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope or your email address, to have a receipt sent to you.
If you are paying multiple accounts, you may use a single check, only if you are paying all the accounts in full. Otherwise, you will need to send a single check for each account.
The property tax system will not accept checks written for more than what is due. Please make your payments for the amount due. Checks over the amount due will be returned.
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