Letter to the Editor — July 16, 2025

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Proposed revision to senior property taxes

As people age, they are less able to perform physical labor. For property/homeowners, this is a significant fact of life, as it directly effects the elderly’s quality of life. Those on a fixed income are most affected as the cost of goods and services rise, while at the same time they are less able to perform essential tasks in maintaining their home and property, e.g. house cleaning, landscaping, etc.

Property taxes play an important role in whether elderly residents on a fixed income can afford to stay in their homes while maintaining them in order to preserve a quality of life, and living standard.

It is reasonable to consider that seniors who have reached 65 years of age, are retired, and/or on a fixed income should receive a reduction in property taxes that begin with a 35% reduction of their current tax rate and culminate with no taxes being levied by their reaching 75 years of age. The benefit is for those whose primary residence is within Clallam County.

This would assist seniors to live in their homes and hire the required maintenance for their property which they cannot perform any longer. This will create a direct dispersal of wealth from those receiving a service to those providing the service, without the government acting as a costly intermediary.

A well-maintained community with a strong middle class increases all home values, and an increased standard of living for all.

This proposal should be placed on a special election referendum. Furthermore, this and all future referendums that affect property taxes must be open to only those who are registered on the Clallam County property tax rolls as a property/land owner.

To offset this tax revenue reduction, an increase in government productivity and a reduction in waste, fraud, and abuse should be immediately addressed.

Corey Evans

Sequim