EV Waiting For Final Ruling On Kaiser Taxes

East Valley School District faces a possible $1 million loss, as a result of a court ruling on Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. property taxes.

Superintendent Chuck Stocker is sitting tight, however.

“That’s still before a judge, and I’m not going to worry about it until I know exactly how much I have to worry about,” Stocker said.

Kaiser appealed its property tax bill for 1990-92. Stevens County Superior Court Judge Larry Kristianson recently ruled in Kaiser’s favor. About $5 million is at stake for taxing districts around the county.

East Valley’s share of the tax money is about $1 million.

Spokane County has asked the judge to reconsider.

Stocker said he has conferred with tax attorney Roy Koegen. The two agree that “Until we get the final hearing in the summertime,” Stocker said, “there’s really no way for us to know what’s going on and to plan.”

, DataTimes