LEWISTON – A low-income tax preparation program has made Lewiston a finalist in a national ranking of livable cities.

The ranking is being co-sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Waste Management Inc. The “2006 City Livability Award” focuses on communities that use innovative and creative methods to improve the quality of life for residents.

About 230 cities applied for the livable cities award and 15 were selected as finalists. Lewiston is competing in the “cities under 100,000 in population” category and will be notified by April 28 if it makes the cut.

Lewiston earned the spot with its tax preparation program, which serves residents of Lewiston and Auburn. Volunteers began preparing state and federal tax returns for low-income taxpayers in 2003, at times, utilizing the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal benefit for certain low- and moderate-income workers, to reduce income taxes by up to $4,400.

The effort has returned more than $1 million in federal refunds to Lewiston-Auburn taxpayers in the past two tax seasons. So far this year, the effort looks to return $850,000 in federal refunds to the Twin Cities with 636 returns filed.

“Not only have we cut taxes, but Lewiston is indeed the leader in a very creative effort to put additional money back into the pockets of area residents,” Mayor Lionel Guay wrote in a statement.

Next, the city needs to submit an application that describes the program and demonstrates how successful it has been.

“It’s an inch-and-a-half binder and it’s much more in-depth,” said Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s community relations coordinator. “It’s so in-depth, it’s unbelievable.”

That binder is due by March 31, she said.

Winners get an engraved sculpture and the right to use the Livability Award logo on flags, stationery, T-shirts and street signs.

Lewiston’s competitors include cities from Texas, Oregon, Delaware and California. They include:

• Coral Gables, Fla., which began a pay by cell phone parking program.

• Lauderhill, Fla., for its hurricane preparations.

• Columbia, Mo., for a mayor’s challenge to “Bike, Walk & Wheel.”

One city of the 15 will claim first place. Four cities will receive outstanding achievement awards and five will receive honorable mention citations.

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