Last November, over 100,000 Maine citizens signed petitions to place the Question 1A on the ballot for this November’s referendum.

Question 1A will forces the state to live up to a nearly 20-year-old commitment to pay 55 percent of education costs, shifting $264 million of tax burden from the property tax to broader state resources. The result will be an average 15 percent reduction in property taxes statewide. Actual reductions will vary from municipality to municipality.

If Question 1A passes, SAD 9 will receive $1,771,423 more in state funding for fiscal year 2004 than is currently projected. Since Farmington’s share of the SAD 9 budget is approximately 40 percent, this means that Farmington could save about $708,569 in 2004 under the proposal. This is a decrease of about 2.5 mills, from the current tax rate of $18.20 to approximately $15.70 per thousand. A Farmington homeowner whose property is valued at $100,000 could potentially see savings of about $250 on his or her property tax bill.

Question 1A will force the Legislature to finally keep its promise to fund 55 percent of public education costs. It will cut property taxes now, and will lead to badly needed reform of the state’s tax code.

Mary W. Wright, chairman, and Charles C. Murray,

Stephan M. Bunker,

members of the Farmington

Board of Selectmen

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