LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted 3-1 Tuesday to set the tax rate at $24.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of $1.25 from last year.
They also voted 3-1 to use $400,000 from the undesignated fund balance to keep it from going higher.
The town manager was authorized to write a letter of intent to have John E. O’Donnell & Associates of New Gloucester do a revaluation of properties in town. The revaluation will cost about $200,000, Paul Binette from the firm and the town’ assessing agent said. The revaluation won’t occur for a few years because most firms are booked. O’Donnell has a two-year waiting period.
Chairman Jim Long, Bruce Peary and Jim Cyr voted in favor of the new property tax rate and the amount used from the undesignated fund. Vice Chairman William Kenniston was opposed. Selectman Ernie Souther was not at the meeting.
In setting the new rate, the board kept next year in mind. With Jay’s valuation dropping because the paper mill closed, Livermore and Livermore Falls will pick up more of the Regional School Unit 73’s assessment in 2024-25.
Another factor for the higher rate is the state’s certified ratio for the town dropped to 76%. The town lost nearly $11.7 million in value because the valuations of Central Maine Power Co., Eagle Creek Renewable Energy hydroelectric facilities, ReEnergy Biomass, and New England Clean Energy Connect were only assessed at 76%, Binette said.
There was an increase in spending. The town’s budget was up $334,568 and the town’s share for Androscoggin County government operations was up $24,293, according to Binette’s figures. Education numbers were not as clear. While RSU 73 Superintendent Scott Albert said the district asked for $17,730.15 less this year than in 2022-23, which is reflected on an educational revenue sheet that Binette did not have access too. The town’s tax rate model for 2023-24 showed an increase if $54,669, a number derived before the school budget was approved.
The town has not had a revaluation in 23 years.
Binette said they will also do some factoring after doing a study to see what is lacking the most in value — buildings or land.
Property in tree growth and other state programs will not see a factoring rate. Any person eligible who signed up for the state’s stabilization program will not see a change.
Those eligible for a state homestead exemption will only have $19,000 used to reduce their property valuations because of the state’s lower certified ratio. The exemption is $25,000.
The town will gain some new value with some of the projects being done, Binette said.
The owner of a house valued at $100,000 with the homestead exemption will be billed $1,964, an increase of $239.25.
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