''Our office works for you, the taxpayer''
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Dale's Bulletin Archive
October 4, 2011 - 11:00 AM
Come and see for yourself!
This is a public open invitation to my employers, the Pierce County taxpayers/citizens, to visit their Assessor-Treasurer's office and experience the exceptional service.
To talk with me, just call 798-7144 or ask for me at the front desk. If possible, I will talk with you at that time and try to answer any questions you might have. If you prefer, an appointment can be set up for a meeting.
Thank you for your trust,
Dale
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July 5th, 2011 - 1:00 PM
On June 27, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office began mailing notices of value cards for 317,682 residential and commercial properties in Pierce County. The notices provide taxpayers with their assessed values as of January 1, 2011. Those values will be the base upon which the 2012 property taxes will be calculated.
The vast majority of the notices, 295,741 to be exact, show a decrease in value from 2010. Only 15,597 will show some value increase, and 6,344 will show no change from last year. Overall, another year of real estate market frustrations is reflected by the lower average values of property in Pierce County. Residential values dropped by 7.33% from last year, while commercial properties saw their average values decline by 7.01%. Over the past three years, the average value of a residential property in Pierce County has dropped from $277,674 in 2008 to $215,266 today, a decline of 22.5%. The decline in values has been more modest for commercial properties, where values actually peaked a year later than they did for residential properties. Since 2009, the average commercial value in the county has dropped by some $195,000, a 16.5% decline. A revaluation report containing more detail such as year to year value average comparisons, average values by school district or cities and towns, and lists of individual sales, is made available annually at www.piercecountywa.org/atr, under the Reports link.
Pierce County appraises all properties on a six-year revaluation schedule, as mandated by state law. One-sixth of the county must be physically appraised every year, while the values for the remaining five-sixths are statistically trended. As of May 2011, the conclusion of year four of the six-year physically appraised revaluation schedule, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office has physically appraised 202,570 properties, or slightly more than 63% of the total number of properties in the County. As your Assessor-Treasurer and your employee, I will make sure that all properties are physically appraised in accordance with state law, as I promised you I would do.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: The final day for filing a property tax appeal is 60 days from the mailing date on the notice. Information regarding property tax appeals is located on the back of your value notice, or by contacting the Board of Equalization at 253-798-7415. For your convenience, appeal forms and helpful information are available at the Assessor-Treasurer's Office front counter or electronically at the Assessor-Treasurer's website, www.piercecountywa.org/atr.
Additional notices will be mailed in September to notify taxpayers of changes in value due to new construction.
Thank you for your trust, Dale
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March 9th, 2011 - 2:30 PM
To my employers the taxpayers of Pierce County, I want you to know I have kept my word and been your advocate. The following facts speak for themselves and clearly shows the present outstanding efficiency of the Assessor-Treasurer's office.
Fact 1, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office ''Operating Cost Per Tax Dollar Billed'' for 2010 was $.0096, a 36% decrease from 2000.
Fact 2, the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer office ''Operating Cost Per Parcel'' 2010 was $28.65, a 26% decrease from 2000. See the charts below taken from the official Pierce County 2011 Budget, page 121.
The above was accomplished after a $1.1 million dollar budget cut to the Assessor-Treasurer's office budget in 2009 and 2010. The office is now accomplishing more, with less money.
Your Assessor-Treasurer's office staff is happy and well, as demonstrated by their good works. Don't believe anyone who would tell you differently. I invite you to come and see for yourself. You are welcome to visit at your pleasure. You will receive good service from staff that wants to help you. If you would like to talk to me, you need only ask.
Thanks for your trust, Dale
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December 22nd, 2010 - 10:00 AM
ASSESSOR-TREASURER'S OFFICE 2010 ACHIEVEMENT REPORT
So that my employers, the taxpayers, will know what has been achieved in the Assessor-Treasurer's office, since I took office in January of 2009. I submit the following:
To date, some 145,500 properties have been lawfully physically appraised, which represents 45% of the entire county. In 2009, Pierce County's assessment quality and performance was ranked as one of the top in the state, based on the 2009 metrics published by the State Department of Revenue and by the Office of Program Research at the State House of Representatives.
Electronic technology has been embraced in order to increase staff productivity, minimize costs and enhance the services the Assessor-Treasurer office offers to the public. We now provide for the electronic filing of personal property affidavits and have begun the process of developing the same ability for all the large industrial accounts in the county. We have implemented on-line tutorials available on our website for the filing of property valuation appeals and personal property affidavits. We have developed a common electronic repository for all appeals filed, so that property owners no longer need to file duplicate copies of all their documents, and to assist our efforts at establishing a ''paper-free'' appeal process. Through the use of an all electronic process, we have been able to eliminate the entire segregation section of our office and transferred those duties to our cartography lab. Our field appraisers are now able to access our CAMA software directly from the field, eliminating the need for duplication of effort. We have greatly increased the quantity and quality of appraisal and assessment data, as well as forms, available for direct download from our website.
All the above has been achieved, while at the same time there was collectively a $1.1 million dollar reduction to our 2009 and 2010 operational budgets. The Assessor-Treasurer's office has been able to significantly reduce operating costs on a per parcel basis, even though the number of parcels per office staff has increased by 28%. This has been accomplished in an environment with historically high record number of property valuation appeals having to be processed, while at the same time more than doubling the number of physical appraisals performed each year, as compared with preceding years.
I want you to know, the above facts speak for themselves. In 2011, I will continue to be the taxpayer's advocate and protect the interest of the taxpayers, my employers.
Thank you for your trust, Dale
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October 27th, 2010 - 11:00 AM
When I ran for the Assessor-Treasurer's job in 2008, I promised I would be an advocate for the Pierce County property taxpayer and that I would protect their interests. I am keeping my promise. So that you may know I am keeping my promise, please read the ''Report of Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's Office Achievements for 2009-2010''. If you have any questions, I will answer them.
Thank you for your trust, Dale.
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October 6th, 2010 - 10:00 AM
On 10-4-2010 Pierce County Deputy Assessor-Treasurer Alberto Ugas delivered to the Pierce County Sheriff's office a Criminal Complaint and request for an investigation of Mr. Ugas' alleged charges therein.
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September 29th, 2010 - 1:00 PM
In a letter dated September 8, 2010 from Brian T. Moran, Chief Deputy for the Washington State Attorney General's office, Mr. Moran states: ''As I informed you during our most recent call, this office has received no request pursuant to RCW 43.10.232 to conduct the investigation you desire'' i.e. Governor Gregoire has not made a request pursuant to RCW 43.10.232.
A letter dated September 23, 2010 from Narda Pierce, General Counsel for Governor Gregoire states: ''The appropriate authorities have reviewed the information you have provided and declined to investigate further. We respectfully decline your request to have another law enforcement agency initiate an investigation.''
I am providing you the taxpayer with these letters that will allow you to make your own conclusions.
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August 23rd, 2010 - 11:00 AM
The following information is shared to keep my employers, the taxpayers, informed and to let them be the judge of what they believe the truth really is.
$15,818.50 of taxpayers funds were spent by the Pierce County Human Resources Director, as payment to an outside investigator that she hired named Donald W. Heyrich. Mr. Heyrich was hired to investigate purported EEO Complaints filed by four Pierce County Assessor Treasurer's office union staff members, after those four said union staff members had received a Union e-mail (copy attached hereto) dated 9-05-2009 encouraging union staff members to file complaints against Mr. Washam.
Attached hereto, is a copy of Mr. Heyrich's ''Investigation Report dated August 12, 2010''.
Attached hereto, is a copy of an e-mail dated 2-22-2010 sent to Donald Heyrich therein, stating Mr. Washam would answer any questions Mr. Heyrich would have regarding the said EEO complaints. At no time, did Mr. Heyrich contact Mr. Washam asking any questions regarding his investigation of said EEO complaints.
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August 17th, 2010 - 10:00 AM
Forty days ago, the Governor of the State of Washington and the Attorney General of the State of Washington were hand delivered the following document, seeking JUSTICE for Pierce County taxpayers.
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July 7th, 2010 - 4:00 PM
Truth is important to me. That is the reason why the following document was delivered to the Washington State Department of Revenue and the Pierce County Board of Equalization.
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June 29th, 2010 - 1:42 PM
To My Fellow Americans:
On July 4th, we will celebrate a very important event in the history of America, the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
So that you will always remember the words therein, I am posting a copy of the Declaration of Independence, so that you can make a copy of it.
I wish you a happy 4th of July and as you are enjoying your day, please remember the real reason why we celebrate.
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June 10th, 2010 - 10:10 AM
I am pleased to announce that the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office will be mailing notices of 2010 assessed value for 317,115 parcels beginning on June 21, 2010. Notices are being sent on all properties in Pierce County. Of the 317,115 notices scheduled for mailing 298,755 properties will see a decrease in assessed value since last year. The countywide average reduction for Residential properties is 10.42%. Values for 8,559 properties will stay the same as last year and 9,801 properties will have some increase in their assessment. The 2010 value will be used to calculate property taxes due in 2011.
Additional notices will be mailed in September to notify taxpayers of changes in value due to new construction.
I want to remind, my employers, the taxpayers that the final day for filing a property tax appeal is 60 days from the mailing date on the notice. Appeal forms are available at the Assessor-Treasurer's office front counter or electronically at the Assessor-Treasurer's website. For any additional information taxpayers can contact the Assessor-Treasurer's office at 253-798-6111 or the Pierce County Board of Equalization at 253-798-7415.
Efficiency is important to Public Service Counter Staff in the Assessor-Treasurer's office: on Tuesday June 8, 2010 the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office had an unannounced visit by Assistant State Auditors from the Washington State Auditor's Office. The Auditors completed an audit of the cash on hand at the Assessor-Treasurer's Public Service Counter cashier stations. The audit found no issues and everything to be 100% in balance.
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May 25th, 2010 - 11:40 AM
Mr. David Wickert of The News Tribune, filed with the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer's office a request for public records on May 20, 2010. Mr. Wickert requested the Assessor-Treasurer's office provide information regarding 9,436 Commercial parcels/properties that have been physically inspected as required by law, RCW 84.41. In response to Mr. Wickert's request, the Assessor-Treasurer's office is posting the information regarding those 9,436 Commercial parcels/properties here on the Assessor-Treasurer's website, so that both Mr. Wickert of the TNT and the Taxpayers/Citizens of Pierce County, will have access to that information.
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April 27th, 2010 - 1:40 PM
I want my employers, the Pierce County taxpayers, to know what is being achieved. Please read the attached letter dated 4-26-2010, from the Washington State Department of Revenue regarding the present Assessor-Treasurer's office County Revaluation Progress, said letter states ''We commend your effort in completing the revaluation requirements as mandated by Washington State law.''
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April 14th, 2010 - 2:50 PM
It's time for the Pierce County Code to be amended by the Pierce County Council to protect the taxpayer's interests and stop wrongful actions. I have asked the County Council to take such actions in a letter to the County Council dated 04-14-2010.
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February 23rd, 2010 - 2:40 PM
In my first year in office 2009, after discovering the alleged falsification of 368,642 false entries into the Assessor-Treasurer's office taxpayers' assessment records for the years 2001 through 2008, I have worked very hard on behalf of the Pierce County taxpayers to get an investigation into that said alleged unlawful corruption.
To date, I have asked for help to get such an investigation from the following government officials: State Governor, State Attorney General, State Auditor and Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney.
In a letter dated 2-22-2010 to the appointed Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney I state therein that a timely investigation is important and that justice delayed is justice denied.
I believe it is my duty, as the elected/hired Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer, to make sure there is equal, fair and uniform property taxation in Pierce County and I am in the process of doing just that. However, I need the results of a proper investigation of the alleged corruption to determine where changes are needed.
I want you to know I intend to stand for the RIGHTS of the Pierce County property taxpayer and will continue to seek an investigation because I believe all Pierce County property taxpayers deserve an HONEST and fair tax assessment.
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January 11th, 2010 - 4:00 PM
In a letter to Mark Lindquist, the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney, I asked for his help to get a full investigation into the alleged 368,642 false entries made in the Assessor-Treasurer's office official taxpayers records during the years 2001 through 2008.
In that said letter, I state ''If you and I as county government officials will not stand to uphold the Rule of Law and the constitutions and laws of Washington State and the United States of America, who will? It is a fact, we both took a sworn oath of office to uphold those constitutions and laws of the United States of America and Washington State and thereby, we have a duty and obligation to do so.''
My said request is supported by a letter from the Governor's office, and the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer 2009 Investigative Report, Exhibit #1 and Exhibit #2, thereto.
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October 14th, 2009 - 9:45 AM
This office received a response from Governor Christine Gregoire's office where therein it states:
''The Governor's office concurs that the information uncovered by your thorough investigation should be reviewed by the county prosecution to determine if crimes were committed and if charges should be brought against the individuals involved. Since the allegations of misconduct are on the local government level, it is the locally-elected prosecutor's responsibility to take the lead in instigating further action.''
This office will be following the direction set forth in the Governor's office said letter.
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September 21st, 2009 - 1:40 PM
Today in letters to each, I asked Governor Christine Gregoire, State Attorney General Rob McKenna, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, State Treasurer James McIntire and Department of Revenue Director Cindi Holmstrom for help to get an official investigation by the proper authority into the falsification of the Assessor-Treasurer's office official Real Property Records and official Assessor-Treasurer's office reports during the years 2001 through 2008. The investigation is needed, so that the Rule of Law may be preserved.
Investigative Report (219 KB)
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September 11th, 2009 - 11:00 AM
On 9-9-2009 this office requested information from the Public Employment Relations Commission regarding a labor complaint against this office and was emailed a copy of a DEFICIENCY NOTICE regarding that labor complaint. As your employee, I am sharing that DEFICIENCY NOTICE with you my employer.
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September 2nd, 2009 - 2:50 PM
I just finished an Investigative Report which is an official report from Dale Washam, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer, to the taxpayers of Pierce County. This Investigative Report is about the discovery and subsequent investigation of hundreds of thousands of instances of falsified entries regarding physical inspections into the official Pierce County Real Property records in the Assessor-Treasurer's office, as well as falsified reports regarding physical inspections that were submitted from the Assessor-Treasurer's office to the State Department of Revenue, and in addition, falsified documents regarding physical inspections submitted to Pierce County authorities for budgetary purposes. All the above took place during the years 2001 through 2008. Please read the Investigative Report...
Investigative Report (219 KB)
Exhibit 1 (2.8 MB)
Exhibit 2 (13.4 MB)
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August 24th, 2009 - 11:10 AM
On April 16, 2009, I posted a notice of an EEO complaint against me. For over five months, I have never been told what the EEO complaint allegations were, nor was I told the name of the person who made the EEO complaint. The first time I found out about both, was on August 19, 2009, when I received a copy of an EEO Investigative Report dated August 7, 2009 from Betsy Sawyers, the Pierce County Human Resource Director.
On April 16, 2009, I stated that I believed the said EEO complaint against me was bogus. I now believe that the said EEO Investigative Report is verification that I was right. Therefore, so that my employers, the taxpayers, can determine for themselves, I am posting a copy in its entirety of the purported EEO Investigative Report and the accompanying memo from Betsy Sawyers.
You the taxpayers are my employer- please email me at my office regarding any questions you have. (dwasham@co.pierce.wa.us)
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June 26th, 2009
ABOUT YOUR NOTICE OF ASSESSED VALUE
Notices of 2009 assessed values will be mailed to all Pierce County taxpayers by mid-July. Mobile/Manufactured home owners will receive their notices first during the last week of June. All other notices, except business personal property, will be received starting July 18. Those properties with new construction or remodels, along with properties that need further adjustment due to administrative processes, will receive a supplemental notice after August 30th. Assessed values of 2009 for all real properties and mobile/manufactured homes are now posted on our website.
Your notice of value is meant to inform you of our office's estimate of your 2009 assessed value for taxes due in 2010. According to Washington State law, specifically RCW 84.40.020 and 84.40.030, Assessor's must value all property at 100% of its true and fair value, as of January 1 of the assessment year. To do so, we have to use sales that took place in 2008 to arrive at your 2009 value. That means it is likely that the value you see on your card may not be indicative of today's market. It is a fact that assessed values lag behind the real estate market because we must estimate the value of the property as of that January 1 date. Changes that occur in the real estate market from January 1st, 2009 through December 31st, 2009 will be reflected in the January 1st, 2010 assessments that will be used to calculate property taxes payable in 2011. The taxes are calculated by multiplying the value times the tax rate (& divide by 1,000). The voters are the ones who determine what levies or bonds are passed and that is how the tax rate comes about.
In the years when market values were trending upward, the same methodology was adhered to. Assessments in those years could not keep pace with market increases. We want you to know this office is aware of the difficult economic realities that confront us all today and we will earnestly extend every possible consideration to taxpayers that the law allows.
As a service to taxpayers, value notices are being sent to all property owners, whether or not there has been a change in value. Please take the time to look at your notice when you receive it, this is the value that will be used to calculate your 2010 taxes. You will have 60 days from the date of the notice mailing to appeal the value, if you choose to do so. Instructions for filing a property tax appeal are on the back of the notice. We encourage you call our office, toll free 1-800-992-2456 or locally 798-6111, to clarify any questions you might have regarding your value change or the assessment process before you consider filing an appeal.
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May 7th, 2009
The Pierce County Code (3.12.010) states that the County Council ''...recognizes the need for integrity in government and recognizes that the people of Pierce County consider governmental service to be a public trust.'' I agree with that premise.
I believe it becomes the responsibility of the citizens and every public official to ensure this integrity is preserved and respected in all government offices.
With this responsibility in mind and because of the trust you have placed in me, I sent this document to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney on 5/5/2009, requesting an investigation be made into alleged falsification of the Assessor-Treasurer's office records and County Revaluation Progress Reports regarding physical inspections for the years 2001 through 2008.
As your Assessor-Treasurer, I have no control over what actions, if any, county authorities take from here. However, I believe I have done my duty as your Assessor-Treasurer in requesting that the above investigation be done.
I want you to know I have implemented an expedited plan of action that will allow the Assessor-Treasurer's office to meet its ongoing property inspections obligation. I will continue to work honestly and diligently on your behalf.
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April 16th, 2009
On April 3, 2009, I received a reply from the State Attorney General's office that states ''Because this appears to involve matters of local concern, appropriate legal guidance should be sought from the Office of the Pierce County Prosecutor.''
On April 9, 2009, I received a reply from the State Auditor's office that states ''We have contacted the state Department of Revenue officials, who told us they are aware of the issue. They said the Department is working with your office and the Pierce County internal auditor to bring the County into compliance with state law. Therefore, we will not be opening an investigation into this matter.''
On April 6, 2009, I received a notice from the Human Resource Director that an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Discrimination Complaint had been filed against me by an un-named person. Said notice states ''Please be advised that the Human Resources Department has retained a contracted investigator, ... , to conduct this investigation. Please also be advised that it is County practice that the Department in which the complaint arose bears the entire cost of the investigation. Typically, an EEO investigation will cost approximately $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the complexity and length of the investigation.''
Human Resources, a County Department appears to have the authority to commence an EEO investigation against an elected official costing the taxpayer ''approximately $15,000 to $30,000'' on an un-named person's bogus complaint.
While a state agency seems to have very little authority to investigate wrong doing against the taxpayers.
You the taxpayers are my employer - please email me at my office and give me your thoughts on the above. (dwasham@co.pierce.wa.us)
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April 1st, 2009
On 03-25-2009 I sent to the Washington State Attorney General - Rob McKenna and Washington State Auditor - Brian Sonntag, on the behalf of the Pierce County Citizens /Taxpayers, a request for full investigations into any violations of law regarding Physical Inspections and the actions thereto. You can click the following links to view copies of my requests to Attorney General Rob McKenna and State Auditor Brian Sonntag.
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