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Assessor says Ellsworth property valuations rising; mill rate likely fall but final figures pending
Summary
City Assessor Larry Gardner told the council the city’s total valuation has risen and that the mill rate is likely to be lower than the budget estimate of $16.84 per $1,000, but final commitment and category‑level valuations remain pending. Staff will report back on deadlines and whether tax‑billing dates need adjustment.
Larry Gardner, the city assessor, told the council on June 16 that preliminary valuation work shows the total assessed value of Ellsworth likely rose by at least 5% since the budget estimate, which would lower the mill rate below the $16.84 per $1,000 figure used in the budget. "That's a good thing," Gardner said, adding that he expected the tax rate "to come down even further than was budgeted."
Nut graf: The assessor cautioned that final values and the certified mill rate are not yet complete. The city must finish property pricing and make a statutory commitment; the assessor and staff said they expect to know final figures in late August and will assess whether tax‑bill mailing or due‑date timing should change as a result.
Key details: Gardner noted wide county variation in one‑year home price changes and highlighted Hancock County’s roughly 15.65% jump in median home values over the prior year. He said waterfront properties are appreciating faster than non‑waterfront and commercial properties and that valuation changes are not uniform across categories. Gardner said the city does not have a single percentage to apply to every property and that detailed pricing and modeling remain underway.
Council reaction and next steps: Councilors pressed for clarity on timing and effects for taxpayers; Finance and Assessing staff agreed to return to the finance committee with a more detailed timeline and impact analysis, including estimates of new growth and likely dates for final commitment and tax billing. Gardner said when the final commitment is available (historically in late August) the city can finalize the mill rate and determine if mailing or due‑date adjustments are required.
Why it matters: Property valuations and mill‑rate calculations determine taxpayer bills and influence municipal revenue planning. The assessor’s estimates suggest property owners may see smaller tax‑rate increases or stable bills given rising valuations, but the final effect depends on category‑level adjustments and certified commitment figures.
