Property Taxes to Fall for Many in King County, Wash.

Byline: Keith Ervin

Jan. 30--King County property taxes have flattened out and, for many thousands of homeowners, will drop this year.

Even while anti-tax activist Tim Eyman prepares to circulate an initiative that would slash current taxes, his earlier Initiative 747 has already stopped the rate of increase for numerous property owners.

Many jurisdictions have asked voters for permission to exceed the I-747 tax limit, and King County Assessor Scott Noble predicts a rash of such "levy lid" votes in coming years.

But for now, the 2004 tax bill will be lower for the average homeowner in all but a few of the county's 20 school districts, …