As in 2020 and in 2021, Alna’s property tax rate this year will be $18.95 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. 

First Selectman Ed Pentaleri told board meeting attendees Wednesday night, July 13 at the town office and on Zoom, the town’s education tab is up about $35,000, the county tax is up about $11,000 and town meeting appropriations are up about $84,000; the town’s total assessed value rose about $3.6 million, for a gain of about $70,000 in revenue, Pentaleri said. The board tapped 15%, or $16,829, of the past year’s excise taxes to keep the rate flat, he said.

Pentaleri said that was the only surplus tapped in the tax commitment. So the undesignated fund balance – $354,000 as of the end of Alna’s fiscal year Jan. 31 – is about enough to cover 2.4 months’ costs, Pentaleri said.

He learned from auditor Fred Brewer and from a Maine Municipal Association workshop, a town should have not have less than two months’ worth. He said it helps keep a town from running out of money, as he said Alna did in early 2019. “So we’re in a much healthier situation right now.” And he said the funds have helped the town pay thousands of dollars less interest on tax anticipation notes.

Pentaleri cautioned taxpayers, a flat rate does not always mean a flat tax bill. That depends on whether or not a property’s valuation changed, he said. 

Also July 13, Pentaleri reminded residents Alna Day is July 24, organized by Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum and coinciding with Maine’s Open Farm Day and a town-wide yard sale. Learn more at alna.maine.gov