By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Property-owners in Casco can exhale.

The tax rate went down, being reduced by almost one-third. 

This year, Vision Government Solutions completed the state-required property revaluation for the Town of Casco. By the time Casco Town Meeting occurred in June, only some landowners had received their revised valuation. As the summer went on, the remainder of property-owners got an eyeful. 

On Tuesday, the Casco Town Assessor set the tax rate at $9.77, according to Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward.  

The previous mil rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year was $15.95 per thousand dollars of valuation. Therefore, the tax rate decreased by $6.18 or almost one-third. 

“The overlay this year is $112,425,” Ward said.

The overlay is particularly important during a revaluation year because some property-owners go through the process of challenging the value set for their property.

“Our assessor sets the mil rate, but usually takes overlay guidance from the select board. Maine law set the parameter for maximum or minimum mil rate,” Ward said.

“We try to do the tax commitment in August to allow for 45 days after the commitment timeline to meet the town meeting approved date that bills are due,” he said.

This year, Oct. 9 is the date that the tax bill is due, he said.