OXFORD — Selectmen were presented with four more property tax abatement applications during their April 17 business meeting, the final requests for the 2024-25 fiscal year they would review, according to Assessor Colleen Halse.
Two, totaling $5998.80 were approved, and two were denied based on Halse’s recommendation to the board. She said any other pending applications have either been withdrawn or were received after the filing deadline.
Town Manager Adam Garland told selectmen the town approved about $27,000 in abatements during the current tax year which, after a supplemental offset of $6,700, resulted in net payments of $20,700.
Oxford has seen a brisk period processing abatement requests since the town wide real estate revaluation carried out in 2023, the first in 14 years. Halse was hired after KRT Appraisal submitted new values to the town and from the start was tasked with managing dozens of applications from unhappy property owners.
Garland informed the board that Oxford’s share of Oxford County’s 2025-26 budget will be $879,014, up from last year’s $759,850. The county budget is increasing 15.6% from 2024.
He also shared Maine School Administrative District 17’s proposed budget numbers, which had been presented to Oxford Hills voters during three different informational meetings held at the district’s central office on April 8 and 11, and at Oxford Elementary School on April 9. SAD 17’s school board voted to approve the budget during its April 7 business meeting.
“I received notice from the school department (that Oxford’s share) is $5,980,302,” he said. “Last year, we ended up with $4,788,097. That is a $1,119,205 increase. I encourage folks to attend their school budget meetings.”
Members of the board requested that Garland post key school budget-related key dates on Oxford’s web and social media sites.
The district-wide validation hearing will be held May 20 at 6 p.m. at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s Forum. The budget referendum is set for June 10 during state elections. Voters should check with their town to find their polling places and times.
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