Town sets preliminary tax rate at $27.61 per $1,000 after 7.1% increase

The town board on Nov. 24 set a preliminary property tax rate of $27.61 per $1,000 of assessed value, citing a $1.84 — a 7.1% — increase from the prior year.

The board discussed a preliminary rate package presented by the Town administrator, who noted overall increases and broke down competing municipal and county components. "Increases 7.1% over last year," the Chair said while reviewing the figures. Board members pressed staff for the municipal portion and reconciliation with the town's fund balance figures.

The discussion focused in part on the town's unassigned fund balance, which the administrators said stood at $1,525,968. The Chair noted the board's fund-balance policy recommends maintaining a minimum reserve (the Town administrator read the percentage as 6.32% with a minimum of 1.2% and a maximum recommended figure quoted in the packet). Several members emphasized they did not want to tap the unassigned fund balance to reduce the rate.

After discussion the Chair moved to set the tax rate at $27.61 per $1,000; a second was recorded, members called for the vote and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The Town administrator said staff will follow up with more detailed reconciliations of last year's rate, municipal/county splits and fund-balance changes before finalizing bills for mailing; board members also discussed timing for tax-bill issuance and the need for prompt signatures on the warrant to enable mailing.

The board's action on the preliminary rate directs staff to prepare the formal documentation and tax bills under the calendar-year designation discussed at the meeting. The board did not amend the rate at the session; further adjustments would require subsequent action.