Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Abatements topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Foster council accepts additions and abatements, councilor explains Providence Water adjustments
Summary
The Foster Town Council accepted additions and abatements for the current tax roll after staff explained an abatement related to a reassigned Providence Water parcel and corrections to a tangible property assessment; council approved the motion during the consent-agenda exception.
Councilors on Nov. 13 voted to accept a package of additions and abatements to the town’s tax roll after a staff member explained the largest items involved adjustments for Providence Water and a correction to a tangible personal property assessment.
The assessor or finance staff explained that the abatement list included roughly $31,005 in abatements and approximately $36,000 in supplemental additions, producing a net positive to the town of about $5,000. Staff said the largest abatement related to Providence Water, which had a parcel omitted under an earlier treaty provision; the parcel was removed and then added back on the supplementary roll, producing both an abatement and a supplemental tax addition. Staff also said a trailer had been taxed incorrectly in prior years; after the owner proved the error, the town abated the incorrect assessment for the affected years.
Councilor (chair) clarified the accounting: the $31,000 figure referenced the abatements while the $36,000 figure was a supplemental tax addition, not two abatements. Residents asked for location details for the reassigned property during the discussion; staff and the chair said they would provide more precise parcel information on request. Anna, a resident who spoke during the item, asked where any parcel-related changes would occur; staff said they would follow up.
A motion to approve item 4 (additions and abatements) was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion was processed as an exception to the consent agenda and recorded as passed at the meeting.
What’s next: The council did not change policy; the action adjusted assessments and collections for specific properties on the current roll. Staff said any further questions about individual parcels should be directed to the assessor’s office.
