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Town of North Hero BOARD OF LISTERS Mary Dattilio Geri Siegel Jim Kilbride OFFICE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday : 9am - 12:00pm
Fax: 372-3806 Email: listers@northherovt.com
We are reminding town residents that E911 numbers should be posted at driveways and on houses. These numbers should be visible from the road or driveway. Reflective signs are available through the NH Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 132, North Hero, VT 05474 and are $15.00. Order forms are available at the town office or call Tina McKitty @ 372- 8556 for faster service. Remember emergency vehicles cannot help you if they cannot find you.
Appeals of assessed values may be made once every year in June. Appeals must be in writing and addressed to the listers office anytime after April 1st. Notifications of changes in appraisals are sent out at approximately the same time but only to those whose values have changed during the current year, or if there is a change in ownership. Dates for the appeals process are noted on the website and posted in the Islander and public notice boards. TO THE TOWNSPEOPLE OF NORTH HERO: The listers continue to answer many questions about taxes. The listers are charged with the duty of assessing real property in the town, accounting for incomplete data and changes to property.They are not permitted to “chase sales” or change assessments based on prices paid for property that are in excess of current assessed values. The state Equalization Study compares the actual sale price of a property to the current assessed value. The state then makes an adjustment to the town education taxes based on the CLA (common level of appraisal) created from these figures. Currently this study is indicating a discrepancy of almost 20% between the sale price and the assessed value. This figure would force the town into reappraisal. The process initiated by the CLA significantly impacts our taxes. The listers attempt to keep current with upgrades and changes to all properties to help alleviate this situation, but lakeshore sales continue to drive up town values. Continued increases in the school budget and per pupil costs also significantly impact taxes. The school budget is currently 72.6% of the total budget. The State Income Sensitivity payment to towns is based on the individual resident’s ability to pay property taxes.Current Homestead Declarations (HS 122) must be filed by April 15th every year, along with the Income Sensitivity form (HI 144) for households whose income is $97,000 or less. These forms may be downloaded from the state website and are included in the state income tax packet. Homestead tax rates are impacted by school spending, and non-residents have generally been paying a higher rate than town residents. Two thirds of North Hero property owners are either from other Vermont towns or from out of state. All residents are required by law to file a homestead declaration and will forfeit tax relief if they do not. You may contact the State Tax Department at (802) 828-5860 and ask for assistance in filing these forms.
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