(5/3) Mayor Martin Burns indicated during
the May 1 town commissioners meeting that he
hoped to keep the tax rate at 26.5 cents per
$100 of assessed value, which is the same as
it is currently.
At 26.5 cents, Burns said the budget would
be tight and that the commissioners might
consider increasing it to 27 cents to add “a
cushion.” However, the state-calculated
constant-yield rate is 24.5 cents. This is the
tax rate that would generate the same amount
of property tax revenue (excluding new
construction) next year as was collected this
year.
“I don’t think you’re going to lower the
tax rate,” Burns told the other commissioners.
As mayor, Burns prepares his recommended
budget, which the full board of commissioners
vote on after hearing from department heads
and discussing it amongst themselves.
Burns did say that the sewer rate would be
increased next year to begin paying for the
multi-million dollars of improvements the
system needs. He said next year’s budget is
the one where residents begin feeling the
crunch paying for sewer repairs.
