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Presque Isle sets 2025 mill rate at 21.99 mills; council also sets 7% interest on unpaid taxes
Summary
The Presque Isle City Council voted to set the 2025 mill rate at 21.99 and the interest rate on unpaid taxes at 7% after a presentation by City Assessor Lewis Cousins, who reported a corrected 100% certification and an anticipated $217,000 in solar-related revenue.
The Presque Isle City Council on Aug. 20 set the 2025 mill rate at 21.99 mills and established an interest rate on unpaid taxes at 7% per annum following a presentation from City Assessor Lewis Cousins.
Cousins told the council he had three pieces of good news: the state allowed the city to certify at 100% rather than 84%, the city now anticipates roughly $217,000 in revenue tied to solar arrays after clarifying assessment and reimbursement methods with the state, and the resulting tax scenario would produce the city’s second-lowest mill rate in the past decade under the proposed assumptions.
Cousins described modest assessment adjustments to align residential assessment ratios (D at 91%, C at 94%, B at 97%) and noted commercial valuations require a property‑by‑property review; he highlighted new commercial values captured on the roll and five new homes added this year. He also explained overlay funds used for abatements and the variability of abatement payouts year to year.
After discussion among councilors about TIF (tax‑increment financing) districts sheltering some commercial growth and the desire to study commercial assessment methods further, Councilor Mike moved and Councilor Craig seconded a motion to set the mill rate at 21.99; the motion passed. The council subsequently discussed and voted to set the interest rate on unpaid taxes at 7% per annum (interest to begin Oct. 17, 2025).
Councilors asked follow-up questions about whether the state will fund solar reimbursements and about how commercial properties are assessed (income approach when data are available; otherwise cost approach). Councilors also discussed using TIF revenues to advance infrastructure projects that could relieve future pressure on the general fund.
The council adopted the rate and accompanying administrative determinations at the meeting; staff noted final calculations (for some TIF properties and overlays) will be updated after the meeting.
