JAY – Services in Jay could be reduced significantly if a tax-cap initiative passes in November.
Residents would have no curbside trash and recycling pickup, no police emergency dispatch, no school lunch program, no summer recreation, no busing for high school students and no school sports unless a pay-for-play plan is instituted.
These are just some of the services that would be affected if a property tax cap of 1 percent, or $10 per $1,000 of valuation, is approved by voters statewide in Nov. 2, Town Manager Ruth Marden said.
In a worst-case scenario analysis, it is estimated Jay would lose 34 percent of its revenue.
It is anticipated the town would be limited to an $11.5 million tax commitment under the tax cap, including a debt factor. The tax commitment for 2004 is $17.5 million. It is estimated that the property tax revenue loss would be $5.7 million.
A total of 63 full-time positions would be eliminated from Jay’s town and school departments: 14 from town and 49 from school.
Marden said Monday during a selectmen’s meeting that she is trying to give voters information they will need to make decisions at the polls.
If the tax-cap initiative were approved, Marden said, she would recommend imposing fees on services to users to make up some revenue loss, although she said she is reluctant to do it.
She said Jay voters would make the ultimate decision on where services were to be cut at the annual town meeting in April.
Marden also noted that under Maine law, the town is obligated to fund its schools first, county taxes second, tax-increment financing agreements third and town government fourth.
Among other services that would be affected under the cap:
• The town office would cut weekly hours from 43 to 32.
• Sewer user fees would be increased from $175 per year to a minimum of $588.
• Emergency police dispatch would be shifted to the Franklin County sheriff’s office.
• The Police Department would be closed most of the time, with the force reduced to five full-time officers and one part-time.
• The Fire Rescue Department would possibly see one station closed, and the elimination of five to 10 firefighters.
• The Highway Department would lose three positions and decrease services, including – but not limited to – longer response times during storms, with no plowing and sanding after 10 p.m.
• The loss of four jobs in the recycling and the transfer station.
• The animal control officer would only respond to domestic animal calls.
• No overtime.
• No summer help for buildings and grounds, affecting cemetery care.
• Library hours reduced to 12 a week, from the current six-day-per-week schedule. The book budget would be reduced by 40 percent.
• No donations to social service agencies, except for Spruce Mountain and Tri-Town Ministerial Association.
• Loss of 35 teaching positions in school system.
• Single bus runs.
• No co-curricular activities, except pay for play.
• No co-curricular busing.
• Increased class sizes to 25 or greater.
• Elimination of the school lunch program. There would be vending machines only.
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