At our January 5, 2026 club meeting. Keith Stobie provided inspiration about the New Year. (See Read More at end)
Guests : Dawn and Mark Marszal, Rosslyn Tellvik, Phil Ohl, and Danny Hagan
Speaker : Don Wick introduced our speaker: Danny Hagan, Skagit County Assessor, and highlighted his many civic leadership roles, including his membership in the Burlington Rotary. Danny’s topic:
Property Tax in Washington: Strengths, Challenges, and Senior Support
Danny told us that property tax is the most stable form of revenue in Washington, is a clear, visible, public process with local accountability. It is a budget-based system that is relatively low cost to administer. Danny has spoken to us before about how property tax works, but his emphasis in this talk was on:
The Senior and Disabled Exemption Program
It is designed to reduce the property tax burden for seniors and people with disabilities, provide fairness for those on fixed incomes who can’t keep up with rising taxes, and create equity by adjusting the system for those who are most impacted. It is not a handout. To enroll in the program, these qualifications must be met:
- Must be 61 or older, or 57 or older and be a surviving spouse or domestic partner of someone already in the program. OR
- Be disabled causing an inability to work or be a 100% service-connected disabled veteran.
- Own and occupy your own home, living there at least 6 months and one day a year.
- Household income must be within program limits, which at this time is $48,000 per year. It is calculated on 70% of the median income in Skagit County. It is recalculated every 3 years and may go up to $65,000 at the beginning of 2027.
- There is an online portal to apply, or a person can go to the assessor’s office to apply
- The online portal is in English and in Spanish, and one of the Senior Exemption Specialists is bilingual
Danny Hagan is asking us to share this info with people we know who may qualify so they can age in place without the fear of being taxed out of their homes.
New Member
Roy Anderson is officially a new La Conner Rotarian!
Calendar
- Friday, January 9 at 10:30am: Nonprofit meeting at La Conner Swinomish Library
- Tuesday, January 13th 10am-12pm Helping Hands Volunteering: If you haven’t signed up and want to participate, let Marty know.
“As we stand on the threshold of a brand new year, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to each of you for a truly blessed and joyful year. The year ahead promises new opportunities, challenges, and moments that will call upon us to embody the very essence of our Rotary motto, Service Above Self.”
— Nomie Hamid, District Governor January 2025 Message
This period is an extraordinary opportunity for Rotarians to ponder our roles and the ripple effects of our actions. It’s a time to reflect: How have we, as individuals, grown and contributed to the betterment of our communities? What paths of service and leadership are we each uniquely poised to pursue in the coming year?
As we toast to the New Year, let’s also reaffirm our belief in the power of one – the idea that each Rotarian’s efforts can bring about substantial change. We should carry forward the lessons and successes of the past, using them as catalysts for greater achievements in service and leadership
– Michael Soden , 2023|2024 GOVERNOR MESSAGE , Dec. 31, 2023
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and embrace the magic of possibilities." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member". President Stephanie Urchick (2024-2025)
The smallest act of service can create ripples of change that reach shores we'll never see.
Let’s make the new year one of growth, fun, and impact.