Town schedules special meeting to set tax rate; treasurer outlines bond payment amounts to include

The Select Board scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, July 23 at 5 p.m. to set the town tax rate for the coming year. Carrie Clark, town clerk and treasurer, told the board she has the worksheet ready and will present the numbers at that meeting. Clark and auditor materials reviewed at the meeting included a chart of principal and interest for two municipal bonds (the center Rutland bond and the public-safety building bond). Clark said the combined principal and interest figures on the chart amounted to $3,323,854.68 for the applicable period referenced in the auditor's worksheet. She also relayed a note about the center Rutland bond showing approximately $252,000 remaining to be paid, with $133,000 to be spent in the current year and the remainder in the following budget year. The treasurer and the board discussed that one bond's payments are not included in department budgets but must be added to the tax-rate calculation when the board sets the rate; Clark said she will ensure the bond payments are included in the tax-rate worksheet. Board members agreed to meet on July 23 at 5 p.m. to set the tax rate; Carrie Clark will circulate the worksheet and the auditor’s supporting pages in advance.