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Belgrade sets new tax due date and lowers delinquency rate to 6.2%
Summary
Town meeting approved moving the annual property tax due date to April 3, 2026, and amended the delinquency interest rate to 6.2% after debate and a successful amendment. Voters weighed business and seasonal taxpayer concerns before approving the change.
Belgrade voters on Jan. 6 moved the town’s property tax due date to April 3, 2026, and set the delinquency interest rate at 6.2% after approving an amendment during the town meeting.
The select board read Article 4 proposing an April 3 due date and a 7.5% delinquency rate, the maximum previously recommended by the state treasurer. Residents and business owners questioned whether the higher rate would harm seasonal businesses and struggling households. ‘‘The impetus is there to get it paid on time,’’ former select board member Melanie Juel said, arguing the interest charge encourages timely payment but that it should be reasonable. Several speakers argued the rate should be lowered because of local economic pressures.
After discussion, a motion to reduce the proposed rate first to 7% and then to 6.2% — presented as 1 percentage point above the town’s TAN (tax anticipation note) rate — prevailed. The meeting voted to adopt the 6.2% rate and approve the amended article.
Officials said the April due date is part of the town’s move to a fiscal calendar in which taxpayers will see two payments per year (April and October) beginning after the new fiscal year starts. Town Manager Lorna Nichols said the April payment will represent roughly one half of the annual tax amount during the transition and that payment plans remain available for taxpayers.
The meeting record shows the select board recommended the article unanimously; the final, amended measure passed by voice vote.
