In a vote that is expected in early June, Arlington residents could face two override options that would raise taxes on the town’s average-priced home by $425 to $560 a year.
One option would raise the property taxes on the average Arlington home, valued at about $479,000, by about $560 a year. It would increase the property tax levy by about 9.1 percent and bring in an additional $7.9 million in revenue for the town, said Selectwoman Annie LaCourt, who cochaired the Long-Term Planning Committee, which suggested the proposal.
The second option would raise about $5.9 million with a property tax increase that would tack on about $425 more per year to the tax bill on the average home, LaCourt said. It would also generate another $2 million in savings and revenue by switching the town’s trash-removal service to a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) program. The town has been discussing a program that would charge residents $2 for every bag of trash.
Selectmen could vote as soon as their next meeting, Monday, April 4, on whether to hold a special election for the override proposals. Voters will be asked to choose yes or no on the two options.
Selectmen Kevin Greeley and Clarissa Rowe said Monday, March 28, the election would need to be held in early June before the end of the fiscal year. Teachers must receive layoff notices by June 15.
The tax increases are being proposed as a way to avoid layoffs and sharp cuts to Arlington schools and town services caused by a budget deficit of about $4 million.
About 13 percent of Arlington public school teachers would be cut under current budget proposals, and the town would make cuts to the libraries as well as police, fire and public works departments.
LaCourt said the override proposals suggested by the long-term planning committee are designed to prevent the town from having to seek another override for at least another three years.
The committee had considered suggesting an override that would prevent the town from having to seek another tax increase for another five years, but LaCourt said the additional two years would have made the tax increase posed to voters very large.
The other factor was “uncertainty,” she said.
Town Manager Brian Sullivan said that given the state of the economy, seeking a tax increase that would last the town three years made more sense.
Like the previous five-year plan, an override would come with some specific promises to voters and the numbers the committee is recommending are based on the following details:
– 3-year promise not to ask for another override
– Operating budgets can only grow at 2.5% each year
– Healthcare costs grow at 10%
– Special-education costs grow at 7%
– If either of those costs are higher, then the difference will come from the operating budgets
– If either of those costs are lower, then there is more money to spend or the length of the plan could be increased
– An additional $600,000 to the schools for restoration of services cut or reduction of fees increased during FY11
– An additional $400,000 each year to the town specifically for road upkeep
Selectman Jack Hurd, serving in his last meeting before resigning, asked whether the projected override numbers are firm, in the light of current proposql made by union negotiators, who next meet with the manager April 6.
Sullivan said they are. He said that should there be a agreement about healthcare with town and school unions, then any saved funds could stretch the period affected by the override from three to four years.
Selectmen Chair Diane Mahon said the town will present two budgets to Town Meeting this spring. One would include cuts the town would have to make if no override is approved. The other would budget would include the $7.9 million of additional revenue the town would expect to receive under both override proposals.
