Riddle me this?

To The Eagle,

I just got done reviewing my county Voters’ Pamphlet for the 11/4/25 election. I found it to be somewhat vague in regards to the property tax levy lift for the town of Cathlamet. It indicates that in 2026 the lift will bring our property taxes from the current state mandated lid of one percent, to $2 per $1,000 property value. It does indicate that the lid lift is permanent. It does not make clear that if this lid is lifted, is there anything in place to stop it from going up every year. I have re-read it several times and see no clearly stated verbiage to this effect. I think it’s important to have a clear understanding of future ramifications before asking us to vote on it.

Secondly, I am confused as to why the utility operations transfer from the town to PUD that took place over the summer is now being voted on in November? The pamphlet states that this transfer cannot happen without voter approval. Yet, it is my understanding this is a done deal. What was the urgency that it could not wait for the state mandated vote to take place? To add insult to injury, we, the Cathlamet homeowners, are being asked to fund this premature decision due to the loss of revenue the town is now facing.

What am I missing here? I hope the powers that be explain clearly why we did not get to vote on this utility operation transfer, and what, if any, restrictions are in place to prevent annual increases to the property tax basis.

Kathy Briggs,

Cathlamet