Lincoln council adopts amended mill rates, will reissue tax bills and extend due date to ease steep residential increases

The Lincoln Town Council voted to adopt an amended resolution resetting local mill rates and reissuing tax bills to blunt sharp residential tax increases following a recent property revaluation.

Town Administrator (speaker 5) told the council the revaluation produced an unusually large average residential increase and that the adjustment would shift a portion of the tax burden back toward commercial properties. He said the administration proposed a residential rate of 13.523 per $1,000 of assessed value and an amended commercial rate of 23.987 per $1,000, and recommended reissuing tax bills rather than collecting at the previously distributed rates.

"We're going to reissue tax bills for this year," the administrator said, explaining that some taxpayers had already paid and that the town would prorate or credit payments as needed. He asked the council to set a new due date to give time for the reissuance and to avoid penalties; the administration proposed Aug. 29. "Don't panic," he said. "You will be credited accordingly, and the new tax bills will apply then."

Council members described the change as a corrective measure to avoid an undue burden on residents on fixed incomes after a revaluation that raised many residential assessments. One council member noted examples of households facing several-hundred-dollar increases and said the reissuance should allow taxpayers and mortgage servicers to adjust.

Solicitor (speaker 3) confirmed the council has statutory authority to set and adjust tax rates and advised there was no apparent legal liability for reissuing bills under the cited statute (section 44-5-20.29, as referenced in the hearing).

The council voted to amend and adopt Resolution 2025-21 as presented, directing staff to reissue tax bills using the revised mill rates, extend the first-quarter due date to Aug. 29 with no penalties, and apply credits or prorations for taxpayers who already paid at the earlier rates. Officials said the tax collector's office will notify mortgage companies and assist residents with questions.

The resolution passed by voice vote; councilors did not record a roll-call tally on the floor. The town said it will provide outreach and information to residents once the reissued bills are mailed.