Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Rate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pownal sets 2025–26 mil rate at $15.30, uses $300,000 from unassigned funds
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to set the 2025–26 mil rate at $15.30, authorize use of $300,000 from undesignated funds, and set the overlay at $24,176.54; the assessor outlined valuation changes and three funding options before the vote.
The Town of Pownal Select Board at its July 28 meeting voted 3–0 to set the 2025–26 mil rate at $15.30, authorize the use of $300,000 from unassigned (undesignated) funds as allowed by town meeting, and set the overlay at $24,176.54.
Assessor Donna Hays summarized valuation changes: the town applied a 30% factoring (up from a 20% factoring previously) and reported an equalized ratio near 78% of market value. Hays said homestead and veteran exemption amounts are $19,500 and $4,680 respectively; she also noted the town’s TIF valuation is $4,024,100 and that CMP valuation increased by about $4.7 million. Hays presented three mil-rate scenarios tied to different uses of undesignated funds; the board discussed the projected impacts of each and chose the option that uses $300,000 from the fund balance.
Chair Jon Morris framed the choice as balancing tax increases with fund-balance security; Selectpersons Kate Day and George Pottle supported the $300,000 option citing fixed‑income residents and adequate cushion in unassigned funds. The motion to set the mil rate at $15.30 was moved by Chair Morris, seconded by Selectperson Day, and passed unanimously.
Hays also reported that a revaluation RFP for 2028 received no responses; she said she has contacted vendors directly and emphasized the importance of capturing utility and new-construction value in future revaluations.
The board approved multiple warrants and payroll journals earlier in the meeting (FY25 AP Warrant #4 for $4,149.28; FY26 AP Warrant #3 for $381,662.26; Payroll Journal #32 for $10,054.57).
