This represented no change from the previous year's rate.
The county tax rose by $9,238 to $150,104.
This is a tax that the County assesses the towns and must be raised by the town through the property tax.
The tax levy of $2,648,838 represented an increase of $35,332 from 03-04. This increase was due to a sharp decrease in revenues ( - $351,026) from excise tax collection and other revenue sources.
The municipal appropriation was actually decreased by $212,051 and the school appropriation was decreased by $75,339.
Many capital programs were deferred or not funded so that the tax rate would not rise.
The total taxable valuation of Dexter (not counting the homestead exemptions) was $127,494,000 on April 1, 2003 and $128,826,271 on April 1, 2004.
This represented an increase in valuation of $1,333,271 and largely reflected new construction.
The continued strong real estate market will force adjustments to the valuation system in the near future, because Maine law requires that municipalities value properties at current market value.
Reductions in state programs and reductions in homestead and veteran exemptions are imposed on the Towns when the ratio of assessed values to market values falls below 80%.
In Maine, the property tax law requires that all requests for abatements be filed within one hundred and eighty-five days, which is about six months, of the tax commitment date (normally a week or so before tax bills are mailed).
Abatement requests made after that date may not be accepted.
Furthermore, I would like to remind veterans that they may be eligible for an exemption of up to $5000 on their property valuation ( a savings of $108.50 on the 2004-2005 tax bill) if they meet certain criteria.
Veterans who have served in any recognized war period and are 62 years of age by April 1 of the current tax year, or who are 100% disabled, are eligible.
Widows of veterans who would have qualified are also eligible unless they are remarried.
There are also exemptions for property owners who are legally blind or who are paraplegics.
All of these exemptions require that the applicant be a legal resident of Dexter.
There are no specific exemptions for non-veterans based solely on age, but Maine Revenue Services (287-4786) does administer a Rent and Property Tax Rebate program for low-income persons regardless of age.
In 2004, 971 households in Dexter took advantage of the "Homestead Exemption" of $7000 of the value of a Maine citizen's place of residence ($5000 if the property is valued above $125,000).
This exemption has been funded through the 2004-2005 tax year, and hopefully will be continued beyond that.
An eligible residence can be a house or mobile home, but not a seasonal camp or second home not used as a primary residence, or a piece of vacant land.
Eligible Dexter residents must have owned a home in Maine for at least 12 months prior to April 1 of the tax year they will be filing for.
Persons who have moved to Dexter that have sold their homes in another part of the state should file with me as well..
This is a very helpful program given Maine's high burden of property taxes.
I have seen the number of households participating in this program in Dexter decline somewhat, so please pass the word along.
Other programs that taxpayers ought to be aware of include the business property refund program for all property taxes paid on machinery new to the State of Maine after April 1, 1995.
The requirement that owners of taxable personal property (primarily business machinery, unexcised tractors & equipment, rental videotapes, etc.) file a list of items in their possession on April 1 of the tax year is still in effect, but this program allows a rebate from the State for taxes paid to the Town on new purchases.
Requests for reimbursement must be made to the State after the local personal property tax is paid.
I notice many of the small businesses still do not take advantage of this program.
The State of Maine also administers the Property Tax and Rent Refund Program for persons whose property taxes or rent payments rise above a set percentage of their income.
This percentage has changed from 5% to 8% over the years and I would recommend that a taxpayer who feels that their tax or rent consumes a significant part of their income look into this program.
Forms are usually available in the Town Office in late summer and must be filed with the State by December 31.
New purchasers of property classified in the Tree Growth program have one year from the date of purchase to file with my office an application to stay in that program.
Maine law now requires that all new applications and re-files supply proof that a Forest Management plan has been developed by a licensed Maine forester.
I welcome inquiries about any of the programs above.
My office number is 924-3241.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Pearson
Certified Maine Assessor
Licensed Maine Real Estate Appraiser
Assessor, Town of Dexter