By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Citizens should be on the alert for their property tax bill arriving in the mail.

The tax bills were in the process of being mailed through the US Postal Service this week so people should be receiving them in the coming week.

This year proved to be concerning for Casco residents because the revaluation doubled property values for most people.

However, the tax rate dropped from $15.95 to $9.77, which is about a 40 percent decrease.

On Tuesday, Casco Town Manager Tony Ward announced that tax bills are being mailed this week.

He made that announcement during the Manager’s Update at the Casco Select Board meeting.

“Town tax bills will be mailed out later this week and the digital copies should be available by [Wednesday] at the latest,” he said.

“The bills show that 59.18% of the mill rate goes toward the schools, 35.85% towards municipal services and 4.97% towards county services,” Ward said.

He also broke it down in another way or “format” to illustrate how the taxes raises are applied. 

“With a mill rate of $9.77: $5.78 is raised for schools, $3.50 for municipal services and $0.49 [49 cents] for county services,” Ward said.

The municipality collects the taxes and distributes a percentage to the Maine School Administrative District 61 and Cumberland County.

Taxes are due in two installments. The due date is Oct. 9 for the bill that is currently being mailed to landowners.

The town’s website directs people to the town assessor’s office if they have questions or complaints.

“Once you receive your FY 2025 tax bill, please contact Cumberland County Regional Assessing (207) 699-2475 with any questions regarding land and/or building valuation,” the website said.