Editor,
Saco taxpayers will be facing another tax increase of $1.16 per $1000 valuation this coming year. The School budget, as presented to the City Council, will be a .71 increase and the Saco City budget is a .35 increase. For a $200,000 home, their taxes will increase by $232.
The City Council tried to make cuts in the school budget but finally decided to send it to the voters and let them decide whether it should be cut. Current year’s school budget was $35.6 million, an increase over the prior year. This year they are seeking $39.3 million, an increase of $3.7 million. In addition to the increase this year, the city council paid off the $2.3 million school department’s debt balance to the RSU. Councilors are urging the public to turn out and vote.
If this school budget is voted down, then the council will advise the school board as to which cuts to make to bring the budget in line.
The city councilors did make some cuts to the city budget and several times throughout the meeting they expressed concern that the taxpayers are burdened by these tax increases.
Renters will most likely face rent increases because the landlords will undoubtably have to pass their increase on to their tenants.
People are being forced to sell their homes and move out of town. Seniors on fixed incomes and many families can barely pay their tax bill now.
When do we taxpayers say “enough is enough?”
Go to the polls on June 12 and make your voices heard.
Mary Pelkey
Saco
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