Vermont voters are deciding to approve school budgets in many Vermont communities on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday.It comes as education spending is projected to increase due to declining enrollment, the cost of health care benefits and other factors. While property taxes vary by town, and final rates won’t be determined for weeks after town meeting day, some are grappling with projections that some voters find unsettling. According to Governor Phil Scott’s administration, property taxes could increase by 10% statewide. In both Barre City and the town, there could be an increase well above that. “My taxes are now more than my mortgage was on my house back in 1989,” said Mark Tatro, a city voter. “If you’re only getting the same amount of money for your retirement each month, and it’s worth more in any other state, you have to consider that.”Others believe that what has been identified as a need should be supported for the sake of Vermont students. “I’m a librarian by training, so I’m really supportive of education, and I generally vote yes,” said Marjorie Strong, another city voter. “And in fact, this time around, I did vote yes because I feel it’s fundamental.”Voters in Milton also expect to see an increase based on the district’s budget. One voter said he hopes he’s not “taxed out.”Henry Boenges said he is looking to the state and lawmakers for the long-term fix and thinks it’s beyond the control of school boards. “I think we have to trust them,” he said. “Get them the dollars, and try and get behind them. Even though I don’t see a solution that I think works … it’s going to be a redistricting solution.”School spending may no longer be part of future town meeting days, with lawmakers tasked with moving forward on school consolidation under Act 73. Currently, there is no clear consensus on this step yet, although mapping drafts have been. “It’s … important that the legislature moves forward in the next two months to follow through on our work and right-size our education system to better serve our kids at a price we can all afford,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a social media post Monday. When budgets pass, a final tax rate won’t be determined until the yield bill passes. Lawmakers could also buy down the property tax rate.
Vermont voters are deciding to approve school budgets in many Vermont communities on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday.
It comes as education spending is projected to increase due to declining enrollment, the cost of health care benefits and other factors.
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While property taxes vary by town, and final rates won’t be determined for weeks after town meeting day, some are grappling with projections that some voters find unsettling.
According to Governor Phil Scott’s administration, property taxes could increase by 10% statewide. In both Barre City and the town, there could be an increase well above that.
“My taxes are now more than my mortgage was on my house back in 1989,” said Mark Tatro, a city voter. “If you’re only getting the same amount of money for your retirement each month, and it’s worth more in any other state, you have to consider that.”
Others believe that what has been identified as a need should be supported for the sake of Vermont students.
“I’m a librarian by training, so I’m really supportive of education, and I generally vote yes,” said Marjorie Strong, another city voter. “And in fact, this time around, I did vote yes because I feel it’s fundamental.”
Voters in Milton also expect to see an increase based on the district’s budget. One voter said he hopes he’s not “taxed out.”
Henry Boenges said he is looking to the state and lawmakers for the long-term fix and thinks it’s beyond the control of school boards.
“I think we have to trust them,” he said. “Get them the dollars, and try and get behind them. Even though I don’t see a solution that I think works … it’s going to be a redistricting solution.”
School spending may no longer be part of future town meeting days, with lawmakers tasked with moving forward on school consolidation under Act 73. Currently, there is no clear consensus on this step yet, although mapping drafts have been.
“It’s … important that the legislature moves forward in the next two months to follow through on our work and right-size our education system to better serve our kids at a price we can all afford,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a social media post Monday.
When budgets pass, a final tax rate won’t be determined until the yield bill passes. Lawmakers could also buy down the property tax rate.
