The following report was delivered at the August 12, 2024, Town Council Meeting by Interim Town Manager, Michael McGovern.

Revaluation

Around September 1^st,  the Town will be sending tax bills for the current fiscal year.  This is essentially the last step in a process that began in late 2019  when the Town Council authorized a revaluation process to begin. In early 2020,  letters went out to all property owners informing them of upcoming visits by our assessing consultants and what to expect in the months ahead.  Like everything in 2020, as the month of March evolved, everything changed.  The visits were delayed for over two years.  Property values increased as they never had in the community. And frankly, most everyone got more nervous about the revaluation 

In 2023 ,the assessor released a report showing the new property values and everyone received letters.  It soon became clear that more work was needed and all values were subsequently administratively reviewed by the assessor.

Earlier this year an updated list of valuations was published and the assessor began informal reviews with all property tax payers who requested an appointment.  Approximately 500 informal meetings occurred with the assessor over the past six months.  After tax bills are delivered, citizens will still have until February 2025 to appeal, if they choose to do so. 

The new values are a bit shocking to many in the community but looking at property sales in recent months, the values closely adhere to actual sales.  The most recent sales ratio study looking at sales in the last. 12 months through Jube 2024  shows that the average valuation is approximately 91% of the average sale in the market.  We are also closely adhering to the state estimate of overall  municipal valuations in Cape Elizabeth.  

In a couple of months after everything has settled down, I suggest the Town Council receive a fuller update on the new values reflecting upon their overall impacts on our citizenry.

I  would  also like to thank all those who have been involved in the process.  Beginning with Clint Swett, our indefatigable assessor ,who has met head on all the challenges over the last five years, who patiently has met with hundreds of individuals who wished to meet with him and has ended up with a work product that meets every test of fairness and accuracy.  I also wish to acknowledge the office staff in the Assessing office  who have assisted with countless questions, appointment setting and other responsibilities. I also wish to acknowledge the assistance of Matt Sturgis in helping to kick off the process and in working with Clint to ensure that the end result has the quality that it does.   Finally, thank you to all the tax payers who have been cooperative and patient over the last five years. 

So What About Last Year’s Taxes?

This past year taxes were due in October of 2023 and April of 2024 .  The tax commitment was over $40.5 million . There are now 4470 real estate property tax accounts. Only 32 accounts are not fully paid. 99.3% of the tax bill accounts are paid in full.  The actual dollar amount paid is about 99.5% of the tax commitment.  Of the amounts owed we have spoken to many of the citizens involved.  Some properties are currently on the market and payments will be made at a closing, some are accounts that are typically late ,and as in most years, we know some citizens have situations in their lives that make the taxes very difficult to prioritize among other vital obligations. 

Thank you to all citizens for their timely payments and for letting us know of their hopes to pay soon.  Thank you also to Finance Director Kristie Bradbury and the tax office staff for their friendly interactions with everyone who comes in or calls. 

Beach to Beacon 

We had another successful road race this year.  As we seek to do every year, key municipal staff will be meeting with race leadership to evaluate any ticks that can enhance the experience and safety of everyone next year.  We appreciate all the citizen volunteers, the municipal and school staff who work on the race,  the assistance of other communities in the region and the B to B organization itself. 

Odds and Ends

• The library is now back to full staff
• Fort Williams Park parking revenues have lagged a bit this year.  We will continue to closely monitor.  The Town Council will be receiving a report on proposed fee adjustments for the park next month.
• One challenge for the new manager will be to look at the sewer special fund noting that expenditures are outpacing revenues.
• The summer recreation program was successful with about 200 participants each week.  It ended on Friday except for some special trips including white water rafting.
• I had breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday with the two finalists for Town Manager.  While the sessions were off the record and not part of the formal process, I will say I was impressed with both of them. 
• The basketball court need has narrowed to the  site adjacent to the library.  I think a report on this will be added to your August  19^th special meeting. 
• The time of the special forum on the Town Center Intersection has been changed to 7 p.m., on August 21^st in the Town Hall.  The meet and greet is on the same night but starts at 6 p.m. at the Thomas Memorial Library .
• I took advantage of the free service at the library each month on the 4^th Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. to have one’s blood pressure  and blood glucose taken.  The folks there from the CEFD providing the service were friendly and I encourage others to use the service. 

Respectively submitted by Michael McGovern, Interim Town Manager