Tell us where our taxes are going

Twice a year, in April and October, property owners in King County have to reach deep into their pockets to pay their property taxes. In most cases, it is a serious bill, especially with the sharp increase in property values all throughout King County.

If you are like me, you set aside a little each month and your mortgage holder pays these taxes on your behalf.

I like paying my property taxes in this way because it is easier and I don't have to worry about not having enough in the bank the next time taxes are due. It turns out that nearly half of all King County property owners pay their taxes this way.

The problem with this approach is that I never see where my thousands in property-tax dollars are going each year because I don't get an itemized tax statement.

I've proposed a "transparency in taxation" law that would require King County to provide individualized tax information to all its property owners, whether or not they have their mortgage company pay the tax for them. If this legislation passes the County Council, King County will drastically improve transparency in how we collect and spend our tax revenues.

Washington state has a complicated property-tax-collection system. All property owners pay their taxes through the county treasurer even though much of the money goes to other units of state or local government. Under current policy, King County mails out itemized property-tax bills only to the property owner when that property owner owns the land completely or has opted not to have a mortgage company pay the tax.

If you pay your taxes like I do, the county sends your mortgage company the itemized property-tax statement. In most cases, you never see the special "billing distribution" section in the bill because it is not sent directly to you. This section breaks down exactly where that property owner's taxes are going. These categories include state, county, school, port, road, parks, fire, sewer and water, library and other taxes.

One of the most common concerns I hear is over significant increases in property taxes. People have a right to be concerned, especially this year as no fewer than seven new local tax increases are being proposed. Five of these would come out of your property taxes. Wouldn't the public be better served if it actually was told by the government where its taxes are going, and not just how much people owe?

We must provide people with the necessary tax information so they can make informed choices. With my legislation, by this time next year, property owners would have already received a personalized card itemizing exactly where their tax dollars are going in 2008. With this information, voter confidence will improve as people see exactly how their tax dollars are spent.

King County recently funded a survey called "Priorities for the People," asking residents about their thoughts on county government. An overwhelmingly large number of survey respondents knew what was going on in their own city, but were virtually unaware of the services provided by King County. Forty-seven percent said the county was doing a poor job of reporting back to its citizens. Is it any wonder when a large number of property owners never see a breakdown of what they are being charged?

The right of the people to be informed about where their tax dollars are going is fundamental to our democracy.

Metropolitan King County Councilman Reagan Dunn, R-Bellevue, represents District 9, which includes Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton, Maple Valley, Covington, Kent, Black Diamond, and Enumclaw.