SABATTUS – The property tax mill rate for 2005 increased $1 per $1,000 of assessed value over 2004, according to Town Administrator Tracy Fabrizio.

The rise from 23 mills to 24 mills was due to increases in the cost of health insurance premiums, cuts in state funding, school and municipal budget increases and unfunded federal mandates, Fabrizio said.

Tax bills for the 2005 fiscal year have been mailed, she said Friday.