MEXICO — Selectmen set the tax rate at $25 per $1,000 valuation following a special town meeting this week. It is the same amount as this year’s tax rate.

Town Manager John Madigan said the 25 or so people who attended the special town meeting voted to take $300,000 from the town’s surplus and from the reimbursement from the Maine State Retirement fund to offset some of the tax liability.

Selectmen had recommended a combined $280,000, but residents increased that to $300,000.

First, however, residents voted not to take any funds from surplus to apply toward the tax liability. But when Madigan said that action would automatically raise the tax rate by at least one mill, the motion was made to increase the amount.

Property tax bills will be mailed in a couple of weeks. The first payment is due by Oct. 25. The second half is due by March 7, 2014.

The board also agreed to meet with selectmen from Rumford and Dixfield at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Rumford Falls Auditorium to act on a proposal to share in the cost of hiring a consultant to develop a plan to merge services.

In other matters, the board is continuing its efforts to sell the former SAD 43 central office building. Approval was given to have a survey of the parking areas around the Recreation Drive building done with the intention of the town retaining about a quarter acre. The parking spots immediately at the rear of the building would go to the new owner of the building.

Also on Tuesday, selectmen:

* Approved a toll road fund-raiser for the Mexico Firemen’s Relief Association on Sept. 21.

* Set the date for the annual Night of Appreciation for Oct. 17. Residents are invited to submit the names and letters of recommendations of candidates for the honors of Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Full-Time (municipal) Employee of the Year, and Part-Time (municipal) Employee of the Year.

* Signed a mutual aid agreement with the Dixfield Police Department.