Retiring assessor says goodbye

To The Eagle:

I have had 12 years serving the people of Wahkiakum County as Assessor. Being your Assessor is not a bed of roses, nor is it hell-on-earth. It is an important job that I have really, really enjoyed.

I began in early January of 2011 with two senior people from the Washington State Department of Revenue sitting with me while we figured out how to certify the tax roll to the Treasurer so that tax bills could be created. In between, I learned more about how to better value property. Values became increasingly fair and equitable as better ideas and systems became available and were put into practice.

Now at the end of my final term as I watched Falon Hoven take the oath of office, I thought about all of the changes in the Assessor’s office during my tenure and where we are today. And where are we you ask? I am proud to say that we are number one!

The Wahkiakum County Assessor’s office did the best job of valuing property in Washington State in 2022! I make this claim because our ratio, a kind of ranking of assessment accuracy, is the best in the state at 97.4 out of 100. The trick is getting close to, but not equal to 100. What this means is that we will have the lowest state levy rates in the state of Washington. Total levy rates in our county will range from 5.63 to 6.12 on your tax bills which will be sent in February 2023.

I leave the office in tremendously capable hands having achieved more than I ever dreamed of achieving 12 years ago. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. It has been an honor and a pleasure, and believe it or not, a whole lot of fun.

Bill Coons

Retiring Wahkiakum County Assessor