Good, bad news in Down East tax bills

MACHIAS – Washington County towns and cities received their county tax bills last week and, while most municipalities are looking at an increase, Beddington and Vanceboro are not.

Each municipality’s share of the county budget is based on its state valuation, and this year’s state valuation for the two towns is lower than it was last year.

The state valuation for Calais, Codyville Plantation, Pembroke and Whiting fell, but not enough to offset the 2002 increase in the county’s tax rate.

Washington County’s 2002 budget is $4.59 million, with $3,509,482 of that total to be raised by taxation.

Last year’s budget was $4.36 million and called for $3,118,592 in taxes.

The tax rate for 2002 is .00181645 per dollar of valuation. Last year’s county tax rate was 0.00172156.

County Clerk Joyce Thompson said the county tax is just one of three factors that determine property taxes. Each municipality’s operating budget and the amount that is budgeted for education are the others, she said.