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Witches Woods approves FY2025–26 budget, sets mill rate at 2.22 and affirms capital plan
Summary
The Witches Woods Tax District voted unanimously May 16 to adopt the FY2025–26 budget, set a mill rate of 2.22, approve tax due dates and a five-year capital plan, and authorize non-expiring capital spending; the board cited healthy reserves and a plan to return cash to taxpayers.
The Witches Woods Tax District on May 16 approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related financial measures, including a mill rate of 2.22 and tax due dates of July 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2026. The meeting, held at the Bungay Fire Brigade, approved the budget and all related motions unanimously.
Treasurer Anthony (Tony) Paradiso reported the district ended the prior year (June 30, 2024) with a positive cash flow of $26,998.49, which was added to the unassigned asset fund. “The financial condition of the Witches Woods Tax District remains exceptional,” Paradiso said, and he told residents the board was proposing a lower mill rate to return a portion of the surplus to taxpayers while maintaining reserves. Paradiso said the current outstanding tax balance is $2,669.41, with one taxpayer responsible for about 75 percent of that amount, and the current collection rate is 98.65 percent.
During the meeting the proposed budget (handouts provided) was moved by Cliff M and seconded by Mike H; the budget passed without floor discussion. A separate motion by Cliff M, seconded by Gary W, adopted a mill rate of 2.22 based on the proposed budget and also passed unanimously. A motion by Cliff M, seconded by Keith P, set tax due dates as July 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2026 (with a rule that bills under $100 are due in full July 1, 2026); that motion passed after a brief question from Rich Baril answered from the floor by Fred C.
The assembly also accepted the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2025–2030 (motion by Catrina S, seconded by Cliff M) and approved capital spending for FY2024–25 with the clarification that capital funds are non-expiring (motion moved and seconded by members identified in the record). All motions recorded in the minutes carried unanimously.
The board explained that foregoing road grading in the prior year saved approximately $16,000 and that the proposed 2.22 mill rate reflects the board’s judgment that the district can reduce rates while preserving sufficient reserves for unforeseen expenses. The board projected income of $72,000 against projected expenses of $96,000 and estimated a projected positive cash flow of $14,304 for the fiscal year, while noting final numbers await the fiscal-year close.
Next steps: the tax schedule and mill rate will appear on district billing and the five-year capital plan will guide planned projects through 2030. No member proposed further amendment during the meeting, and the motions passed without recorded opposition.
