Brian Herr on Tax Reform

Proposition 2-1/2 tax under-ride: reduce taxes by $1.2M

Such an underride will permanently reduce the town's tax levy limit.

The maximum amount of taxes the town is allowed to raise under Proposition 2-1/2--the levy limit--is about $55.6 million for next fiscal year. The town is using only $53.9 million of that amount, meaning the town has an excess levy amount of $1.7 million.

The board suggests the underride be drawn from from the excess levy amount, not the town's operating budget. Selectman Brian Herr suggested Tuesday night the board endorse a $1.2 million underride, but members ultimately voted to wait until April 1 to determine the amount. Board members agreed some extra should be set aside for unforeseen expenses.