White Salmon annexes 17 acres; property owners see dual benefits
This map shows the properties that the White Salmon City Council annexed into the White Salmon City limits at its Nov. 15 regular meeting. The areas with white hatches were already in the city limits.
By Ken Park
White Salmon, Wash., Nov. 22, 2023 - The annexation of an unincorporated section of land into White Salmon City limits will lower taxes and utility fees for some residents, bringing the Mt. View Grange 98 into the city, and creating more precise lines for city limits.
During its Nov. 15 meeting, the White Salmon City Council voted unanimously to annex an area of north Main Avenue and northeast Spring Street. The properties were considered an “island” as they were surrounded by properties that were already inside the city limit boundary.
This area of about 17.49 acres of land is surrounded by White Salmon, with 13 residences and four commercial structures already operating on at least city water utilities, if not water and sewer.
The Grange is zoned as a commercial, non-conforming existing use building following an agreement with City Administration and the Grange board members.
By being brought into the city limits, the city can partner with the Grange in more significant ways than it currently does for community events.
The City of White Salmon has identified Mt. View Grange as a potential community facility partner for the future community center.
Like with any annexation into the city limits, there are benefits and disadvantages for current residential and commercial property owners.
In this case, it mainly benefits residents in this newly annexed area who can expect their property taxes to go down from $9.48 per $1,000 assessed valuation to $7.86 per $1,000.
White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler
White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler did note that these taxes could be subject to change in 2025 if the West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority's proposed levy passes. Increasing Klickitat County property taxes to $9.62 per $1,000 and White Salmon property taxes to $8.62 per $1,000.
As previously stated, most of the developments in this area already utilize city utilities, with just four residences operating on their own septic systems. These residences will be allowed to remain on those septic systems until they fail, at which point they must switch to the city septic system.
Councilmember Ben Giant asked how it is determined if those systems fail.
City Attorney Shawn McPherson said the homeowner will determine that, and city Clerk-Treasurer Stephanie Porter said the Department of Health also determines the decision.
Ultimately, residents will see a decrease in their utility costs entering the city.
Klickitat County charges $72.30 monthly for water and $63.64 for wastewater services; White Salmon charges $49.13 monthly for water and $57.91 for wastewater.
Historically, residents in this area had pushed back against annexation when city property taxes and utility rates were higher than that of the county.
This time the annexation was met with virtually no pushback.
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