PLAISTOW — The tax rate is jumping about 12 percent for 2009, but most residents should see a decrease in their tax bills.
Properties in town were reassessed this summer and Town Manager Sean Fitzgerald said the average homeowner should see a reduction of about 5 percent to 8 percent in their property tax bills.SClBThe average homeowner paid $5,335 in taxes last year, but will pay $4,943 for 2009, according to Fitzgerald.
The 2009 tax rate is $23.95 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is up $2.65 from the 2008 rate of $21.30.
Overall, property values fell about 11 percent in the recent reassessment, according to Fitzgerald.
The town portion of the tax rate is $6.37, which Fitzgerald said could have been higher if town officials did not make serious concessions to trim spending in several areas.
The 2009 budget was reduced by about $350,000 last year, and no town employee received a raise or cost-of-living increase, the town manager said.
The town also collected less revenue over the last year, Fitzgerald said. Plaistow lost $50,000 in rent for the Plaistow District Court and another $50,000 from the state.
Funding for schools makes up the largest portion of the tax rate with $13.77 being paid to local schools and $2.72 going to the state education rate.
Tax bills should be arriving in residents' mailboxes soon and they are due by Dec. 1.
ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.
