BRATTLEBORO-Property taxes will go up about 8% after the Selectboard voted unanimously July 9 to adopt the fiscal year 2025 property tax rate.
Their vote was essentially a rubber stamp to pay for what was decided at this year's Representative Town Meeting, the Grand List, and state-mandated education rates, as Finance Director Kim Frost explained.
"The good thing is state statute requires that the Selectboard set the rate, but every decision has been made, so that's a good thing," said Frost, referring to the Representative Town Meeting votes made when the annual operating budget is approved.
Two numbers make up the municipal tax rate: the budget and the Grand List, which was lodged in June.
At the end of June or in early July, the town historically learns what the educational tax rate will be and the end result is what ends up being presented to the board to adopt.
Frost said the Homestead tax rate, which is the combined municipal and school tax rates, has increased about 7.82% compared to last year. The municipal rate went up 4.47% from 2024 to 2025, and the Homestead education rate went up 10.47% and that's how the 7.82% overall rate is determined.
In dollars, she said, that means property owners will pay $245.70 per $100,000 of assessed value.
The municipal rate is $62.20, and $183.50 is the education rate, so 25% of the increase is the municipal rate and the rest is due to the educational rate.
"There's really nothing to discuss," said Selectboard member Elizabeth McLoughlin after the motion to adopt was made.
Board Chair Daniel Quipp repeated McLoughlin's words, adding, "What happens if we don't approve this?"
"You know, I have no idea," Frost said. "I think it's all set in motion already."
"Let's not tempt things," said board member Peter Case.
Former board member Dick DeGray, having attended a July 8 legislative forum, said none of the legislative candidates were able to offer a "definitive answer" about "how to get this animal under control," regarding lassoing the education tax rate.
DeGray called the lack of answers "quite disheartening" and the ever-rising school tax rate "not sustainable."
This News item by Virginia Ray was written for The Commons.