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Rising Sun expects smaller real-estate tax gain; town staff previews possible preliminary development plans
Summary
Town Administrator Bonhamberger told the board that real-estate tax revenue will rise this year but by a smaller amount than last year, and staff expects developers to submit preliminary land-development plans in mid-April and May.
Town Administrator Bonhamberger told the Rising Sun Board of Commissioners on March 25 that the town will see a smaller increase in projected real-estate tax revenue this year and that staff expects at least one preliminary land-development plan submittal in mid-April with another possible in May.
Bonhamberger said the town will “hold the line on expenses” as it moves into budget season and that the revenue outlook remains positive but more modest than in recent years. “Last year, we saw a $58,000 increase in projected revenue from the year before. This year, we're only gonna see about a $33,000 increase,” Bonhamberger said. She added the $33,000 figure is small in the context of the broader tax base and that staff will present more detail during budget hearings.
The administration described the current state of local development activity as a lull during which developers submit concept plans before preparing the heavier work required for preliminary-plan review. “In the land development world, all the heavy lifting of land development is done in the preliminary plan stage,” Bonhamberger said. She told the board that the town’s engineer is reviewing submissions and that preliminary-plan submittals could appear in mid-April and again in May, but that approvals may require multiple meetings.
Why it matters: the pace of property-value growth and timing of new development affect Rising Sun’s near-term budget choices, including whether to change the real-estate tax rate. Bonhamberger said the board will discuss the tax rate at upcoming budget sessions.
The board approved the consent agenda early in the meeting, which included approval of the Feb. 27, 2025 town meeting video summary and the schedule of upcoming town meetings. The motion to approve was moved by Commissioner Dave Warner and seconded by Commissioner Emily Kleiner; the transcript records two verbal “Aye” responses and the motion was approved.
Next steps: staff will present more detailed revenue and expenditure estimates at budget hearings and the board will consider the real-estate tax rate as part of those discussions.
