PARIS — Oxford County residents will see a 6.8 percent hike in the county tax rate this year.

The Oxford County Commission has sent letters to municipal officers of towns and plantations outlining their higher commitments as a result of the 2011 budget.

The tax rate is set to increase from 66.2 cents to 70.7 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The total tax will be about $100 for $141,000 in property.

While the Budget Committee voted for a 0.33 percent decrease in spending, grant money and non-tax revenues decreased, and property valuation saw a 2.8 percent drop.

The increase means larger commitments for most towns. Paris, which paid about $228,000 in county taxes last year, will owe $246,000, according to a letter from the commission. Norway’s commitment will rise from about $301,000 to $327,000.

In other towns, devaluations will mean a lower overall commitment. Oxford, which paid $301,000 last year, will owe $299,000 due to an overall devaluation of more than $30,000. A devaluation of more than $100,000 in Rumford means its county tax will drop from nearly $486,000 overall to about $428,000.

Tax bills are due Sept. 1, according to a letter to municipal officers from County Administrator Scott Cole.

[email protected]