City launches 'Let's Talk Taxes' open house June 25 to explain Lewiston property taxes

Carol Mauer, Lewiston’s public outreach coordinator, told the council the city will hold a "Let's Talk Taxes" open house on June 25 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lewiston High School commons to explain how property taxes are calculated and how revenues are used by different taxing districts. "June 25 is the date for this," she said, describing event logistics and outreach plans.

Mauer said the event is informational rather than advocacy: representatives from all five taxing districts, the urban renewal agency and county staff (including assessor and treasurer representatives) will staff booths so residents can ask tailored questions about assessments and bills. She described outreach that has already run — a utility-bill insert distributed to more than 9,000 customers, social media advertisements, an item in the city magazine and a planned "citizen's guide" (expected to be about 50 pages) that will be distributed at the open house and posted online.

Councilors asked whether the event would overlap other city celebrations; Mauer said the city will host the open house in the high school commons while a Star Spangled celebration runs in the courtyard, hoping to draw broader attendance. The council encouraged staff to invite common public questions in advance to shape materials and to coordinate with county and school representatives who will attend. No action or vote was taken; staff will continue outreach and finalize the guide ahead of the June 25 event.