The High-Speed Gamble: Can Anacortes’ Fiber Network Pay Off?
Did you know Anacortes is the first city in Washington to become an Internet Service Provider (ISP)? Anacortes launched its municipal broadband vision back in 2015, when the City Council approved Resolution 2013 to pursue a city-owned fiber network. By 2019, crews had installed 30 miles of fiber through existing water pipes from Mount Vernon […]
Fidalgo Pool’s Comeback Wave: Can a Bold Park District Plan Win After the Near Miss in 2024?
Did you know that the Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center will be on the ballot again this November based on forming a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to replace the Fidalgo Park and Recreation District (PRD)? The pool, a community hub since 1975, serves over 6,500 visitors monthly and supports youth and adult swim teams. Proponents, […]
Downtown Anacortes Battery Storage: Powering Progress or Risking Safety?
Did you Know that a Downtown Battery Storage Facility is planned at the Guemes Ferry Landing? As Anacortes pushes toward sustainability with plans for an all-electric Guemes Island Ferry, the proposal to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) raises serious concerns. Recent incidents* involving BESS facilities, combined with Skagit County Commissioners recent approval of […]
A Battery-Powered Future for the Guemes Island Ferry
Did You Know Skagit County is planning a shiny new battery storage facility at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to power an all-electric ferry for the Guemes Island route. Yep, we’re talking about swapping out the diesel-chugging M/V Guemes for a greener, quieter ride across the Guemes Channel. But what does this mean for our environment […]
The Escalating Cost of Living in Anacortes: 2015 – 2025
Did you know that Anacortes with a population of approximately 16,189 as of 2015 and 18,270 as of 2025, has seen sharp increases in property taxes, utility fees and cost of building homes from 2015 to 2025? We have discussed property taxes in previous blogs. This blog will focus on utilities fees and cost of […]
What is the Difference Between a Bond and a Levy?
Did you know that a key part of the funding sources for our Anacortes School District are Bonds and Levies? So, what is the difference between a Bond and a Levy? The easiest way to explain the difference is that a bond is for construction of new buildings (or modification of buildings or purchase of […]
Challenging the Anacortes Budget Planning Process
Did you know that the Anacortes City Budget went up by 44% in 2022 and has maintained that level since then? During the period 2015 to 2021, the city budgets remained relatively stable. However, in 2022 Anacortes increased its budget by a whopping 44% and it has continued to increase since then (Chart 1). Why […]
Anacortes City Budget
Did You Know Anacortes revises its budget four times a year during its quarterly budget amendment process? Citizens in Anacortes have raised concerns over the city’s 2025 proposed budget. Comments have been submitted at the City Council meetings during budget planning sessions. At the end of 2024, the City Council approved a $124 Million budget […]
Why the Dramatic Increase in Anacortes Property Taxes
Did you know why Anacortes property taxes have dramatically increased over the last few years? There are two main reasons for the increase: Assessed Value Increase: Market value of Anacortes real estate and consequently assessed value of Anacortes real estate increased dramatically in 2023. These increases resulted in an overall Anacortes property valuation increase of […]
How to Appeal Your Property Assessed Value
Did You Know that if you disagree with the County Assessors valuation of your property, you can appeal for a review? To successfully appeal the assessed value of your property, you must show by clear and precise evidence that the value established by the Assessor is incorrect. Some key examples as to why you might […]