Fort Kent property owners receiving high tax bills

FORT KENT - Town Manager Don Guimond described the current tax commitment, saying, "By far it's the largest increase I've seen in my tenure."

On Monday night, the Fort Kent town council voted unanimously to approve a tax commitment of $3,468,029.66.  Last year $3,076,263.28

This represents an increase of $391,766.38 or12.7 percent.   In a phone interview, Guimond said there were several reasons for the increase.  The primary reason, he said, "It's a reflection in the decrease in revenue sharing from the state."

Additionally, other revenues besides property taxes also decreased.  Last year other revenues such as fees and excise taxes totaled $1,702,488, and this year was only $1,569,937.

The cost of education last year was $1,798,758 and this year it is $1,948,355. The reason the local commitment to public education increased is because the state aid declined.

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The state reduced the amount of the homestead exemption.

At Monday night's meeting, Guimond said, "All of these factors equate to the state balancing the budget on the backs of someone else."

Council Chair Louis Moreau qualified the unanimous vote to approve the tax commitment, calling the votes "reluctant".

Councilor Priscilla Staples said, "It's not good for us and it's not good for the people of Fort Kent.

Commenting with a pun on the tax commitment, Moreau said, "We're going to wish we were committed after everyone gets their bills."

At the prior town council meeting, the members voted to increase the mil rate to 16.35 from 14.35.

People started receiving their bills for property taxes this week.

In other business, the council voted to award the bid for a new front end loader to Frank Martin Sons, Inc.  The equipment company is selling a Kawasaki loader to the town for $157,690 through a lease/purchase agreement.

Councilor Joel Desjardins said, "I hate spending money at this time of year when we're sending tax bills out."

The council also heard from two of the four people interested in taking over the vacant seat on the council.  John Dumond spoke to the council.  He said, "I have a real interest in how the town functions."  He spoke of seeing a "better opportunity to help people more directly."

Dumond said he felt the greatest challenge the town faces is balancing the budget.  He said people fell like they are not being heard and the town government is not taking them seriously.

Bob Michaud also advocated for himself before the council.  Citing his years as a lawyer for the town and his numerous responsibilities, Michaud also said the greatest challenge is balancing the budget.

The council did not choose a person for the vacant seat, but tabled the decision until August 23.

The council received copies of an amended town charter and the existing charter.  Town Manager Don Guimond said the changes reflect current practice.

The council discussed the process by which the town elects or appoints persons to vacant seats.

Staples said Van Buren's ability to recall existing elected officials before their terms were completed is something the Town of Fort Kent should consider.

The council asked Guimond to modify the amendments to the town charter to reflect that if a vacant elected seat has less than six months left to the term then the council should appoint a person to the seat.  If the vacancy is for more than six months, the council should schedule a public election.

Guimond said that if the amended charter is ready, the people of Fort Kent could vote on it as early as November.