The Town of Woolwich experienced an increase in its property taxes for fiscal year 2013-2014.

As elected officials of the town we would like to take this opportunity to explain how this increase developed. The majority of the increase is the result of legally assessed taxes placed on our municipality from outside entities and state revenue sharing losses due to state budget cuts.

It is important to understand we are obligated to pay these increases and endure these revenue losses.

The majority of the overall increase is attributed to the RSU 1 assessment following the referendum to alter the cost sharing formula held on March 19, 2013. This referendum was held to determine whether RSU 1 would continue utilizing last year’s method of cost sharing or switch to a new method of cost sharing between member municipalities.

The results of the referendum created a new cost sharing formula which in turn increased the amount Woolwich was required to pay during fiscal year 2013-2014 and future years. Therefore, the education budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 is $3,534,531 which is an increase of $419,690 (12 percent increase) over the amount raised in fiscal year 2013-2014.

The dramatic increase in our budget is primarily attributed to this external assessment. To put this increase in perspective, the amount of increase by itself is equal to one third of the actual costs required to run all of our town’s operations for the year.

Another source of increase is from our financial obligation to Sagadahoc County. The county tax for fiscal year 2013-2014 is $680,692, which is an increase of $29,427 (4.4 percent increase) over fiscal year 2013-2014.

Finally, due to state budget cuts, the town recently had revenues generated by state subsidy lowered significantly. The projected amount of state revenue sharing for fiscal year 2013-2014 is $96,989, which is a decrease of $44,197 (31.4 percent decrease) from fiscal year 2012-2013.

• 2010-11 Tax Rate: 12.25
• 2011-12 Tax Rate: 12.5
• 2012-13 Tax Rate: 12.8
• 2013-14 Tax Rate: 13.8

It is our objective to keep property taxes within the town at the lowest level possible. The board of selectmen and town staff work diligently to accomplish this objective.

The town’s FY14 budget increased by $31,559.00. We will continue to seek ways to raise revenues and reduce costs to alleviate the impact of these externally driven cost increases and revenue losses impacting our property owners.

Please contact the town office at 207-442-7094 if you have any questions.