Hermiston Tax and Utility Rate 2025 FAQ
Did the City of Hermiston raise property taxes?
No. The City of Hermiston’s permanent tax rate charged has remained unchanged since 2006. Changes from year to year in actual amount owed for any individual property can be reviewed with the Umatilla County Assessor’s Office, which administers the permanent tax rate and assessed value of properties.
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Did the City of Hermiston raise any taxes?
The only tax increase in 2024 was 1% to the Transient Room Tax (TRT) for overnight stays as part of the city’s budget restructuring, which came after six months of city council work sessions to identify opportunities for cuts and new revenue. The final package included nearly $500,000 in cuts to street maintenance & General Fund departments, the creation of a business license, and a $5 monthly fee on city utility bills to fund public safety officers. The full council meeting agenda and video when these changes were implemented can be found here.
Do large data centers pay property taxes?
Hermiston’s property tax base includes commercial, industrial, and residential properties. The top Umatilla County taxpayers in 2023 were Amazon Web Services ($11.7 million), Union Pacific ($3.1M), PacificCorp ($2.9M), Calpine ($1.8M), Hermiston Generating ($1.5M), and Wal-Mart DC ($1M).
Did my property taxes pay to build City Hall?
No. The new City Hall, which streamlines operations by freeing up space for Police & Fire staff in the Public Safety Center, was funded through the Greater Hermiston Enterprise Zone. The GHEZ provides nearly $3.5 million annually from new large-scale business developments in Hermiston (currently funded by Amazon Web Services and Lamb Weston).
Why does my utility bill go up each year?
Since 2019, the Hermiston City Council has approved an annual adjustment to water and sewer rates that match the Engineering News-Record’s Construction Cost Index (CCI). The CCI is a measure very similar to other measures of inflation which is specific to the construction industry. These funds are directed to maintaining and improving city infrastructure, and the annual adjustment is tied to the CCI to account for the changing costs of materials and labor. The City Council also approved a rate adjustment for Hermiston Energy Services in January to take place over the next 18 months to pay for infrastructure upgrades and the increasing cost to purchase electricity from BPA.
How can I reduce my utility bills?
There are number of options to reduce or regulate your monthly utility bills. Conserving water and electricity makes an immediate impact, and the City of Hermiston will work with customers to make sure they understand their monthly bill and available conservation programs.
The EyeOnWater app tracks minute-by-minute water usage and will detect leaks or other abnormal usage in your home. Lawn irrigation is the largest single use of household water, and adjusting your irrigation system based on daily or weekly need can substantially reduce overall usage. You can also arrange Budget Billing to average your annual water bill into 12 equal, predictable payments and avoid increases during summer months. Contact the utility billing department for more information.
Hermiston Energy Services provides free home energy audits, rebates for energy efficient appliances, smart thermostats, heat pumps, weatherization, electric vehicle chargers, and more. Learn more here.
Some residents may qualify for additional utility bill assistance. Learn more here.
