The Port Townsend City Council voted to raise property taxes last night. On a 4-3 vote, the council decided to raise taxes above the 1 percent cap that is likely to become law again Thursday. To increase property taxes above 1 percent, the council not only rejected the plea Gov. Christine Gregoire made to local governments, but had to rescind a local law that required a public advisory vote before using so-called "banked capacity" to raise taxes more than 1 percent.

The Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader has the story.

Several residents spoke against the increase Monday night, and none spoke in favor. "Everything can't be fixed on the backs of homeowners," said Brigida Knauer.

Jim Hagen argued that rescinding the advisory vote requirement would overrule the trend shown by city voters in three recent elections (approving the advisory vote requirement in 2001, rejecting a 53 percent increase in property tax revenues in 2004, and rejecting a utility tax increase from 6 to 10 percent in 2007).