Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Budget Tax Impact topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectboard warned town tax rate could rise as much as 15% if all articles pass
Summary
Officials said the town portion of the tax rate could increase about 15% if all budgets and warrant articles pass, falling to roughly 9.5% this year if Pierce Pond Dam removal is bonded; staff noted $90,000 added to the budget at the Jan. 13 hearing and urged careful review before votes.
During general budget discussion at the Jan. 13 Selectboard hearing, members and staff reviewed several budget drivers and tax-rate scenarios. Town staff said that if all budgets and warrant articles pass, the town portion of the property tax rate could rise about 15%; bonding the Pierce Pond Dam removal project would reduce that estimate to about 9.5% for the year.
Clerk's notes included that $90,000 was added to the budget that evening, adding to upward pressure on the tax rate. Officials also reported Unassigned Fund Balance at $1.3 million, about 14% of the Town budget, noting the town is required to maintain at least 5% of the total budget including schools. The board discussed legal costs and litigation (six Rondeau lawsuits were noted) and that the legal line is currently set at $100,000 but may need to increase before Town Meeting.
Board members urged careful review of warrant-article language and budget lines before voting and scheduled a continuation of the budget review on Jan. 20.
