BETHEL —  At an April 10 meeting, Bethel Board of Assessors member Michele Cole said she thought they should discuss reevaluations.

Ron Savage and Town Assessor Rob Duplisea said they should hold off on reevaluating homes because of the current housing bubble.

Cole explained that the four towns changed their formula from a 100% valuation to a percentage based on student count several years ago. This year marked a step-up year, resulting in a decrease from 90% valuation/10% student enrollment to 88% valuation/12% student enrollment.

The school budget increase, coupled with the reassessment, may lead to higher tax bills for residents.

The group recommended keeping an eye on the situation and considering different options for addressing the issue when the time comes, but decided to wait for the auditor’s recommendation before making any decisions.

Personal Property

In violation of Maine state statute, Title 36, S601, the Board of Assessors has not charged Bethel businesses for personal property tax since about 2008.

Chairman Robert Everett recommended the board at least identify the properties to see what they are missing out on for taxation.

Repeating what she has said in the past, Cole said the timing was not good because of staffing constraints. She said people [in town office] were doing two or three jobs.

Cole, Savage and George Angevine voted in favor of postponing personal property discussion indefinitely with Everett voting against tabling it. Bob Blake was not in attendance.

Assessor Duplisea said it was his responsibility to inform The Board of the risk in not assessing businesses. “That one taxpayer [Hancock Lumber] who is getting a tax bill …. if that taxpayer felt like they were being discriminated against that’s the only risk that we have. It’s my responsibility is to let you know of the risk,” he said.

Food Pantry

Duplisea said he met with the Bethel Area Food Pantry Executive Director Dave Bean. The Board will likely exempt the Bethel Area Food Pantry  from taxes for its non-profit status after they’ve seen the 501C (3) paperwork at the next meeting.

Duplisea said there will be a tax on the two apartments on the second floor of the food pantry building that he plans to go see. Savage said he helped the food pantry purchase the property and said if the garage is turned into living space, it would not be exempt either.

“It’s pretty straightforward. I can present that to you formally at the next meeting,” said Duplisea.

They will wait and vote on it next meeting.

Annual Ratio

The board discussed the annual ratio declaration from the state and the implications of not factoring assessments to current market value. The ratio is 70%.  The maximum this year will be 77%. If they don’t go to 100%, homestead exemptions would decrease (to 77% of $25,000). Personal property assessments and veterans exemptions would be reduced, too.

The assessors are concerned about the impact on taxpayers and the potential for significant tax increases.

They are considered certifying assessments at 85% of current market value instead of 100% to minimize the shock for taxpayers. The board can choose to certify at various percentages, Duplisea plans to present scenarios and recommendations at the next meeting.

“We meet the minimum assessing assessments [now], but just barely,” said Duplisea.

The next Board of Assessors meeting is May 8 at 8 a.m.

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