Lewiston's preliminary town budget shows tax decreases

The proposed 2024 Lewiston town budget shows another decrease in property taxes toward its general fund, this one by more than one-fifth.

The first submitted budget for next year, available to view on the Town of Lewiston website, shows that while there will be around $13.3 million in appropriations — a $680,000 increase from 2023, revenues are also estimated to go up to around $12.4 million, a $750,000 increase, with $268,437 in appropriations to the outside village funds and water pollution control center.

The amount raised by taxes for these funds is estimated at $678,768 — about $190,000 less than in 2023. The proposed property tax rate for town residents is 54 cents per $1,000 of valuation, a 21.25% decrease from 2023.

Town Finance Director Jacqueline Agnello said it’s because sales tax revenue is up and the state and county highway reimbursements are back to pre-Covid levels. Workers compensation in the general funds has decreased as well.

“We’re committed to reducing taxes where we can,” Agnello said, with the process starting in July with department heads sitting down with her to review every single line item. “If not, we try to keep them stable.”

The Lewiston General Fund, which includes expenses for the Village of Lewiston, has $2.998 million in appropriations with $2.515 million covered by revenues and the remaining $482,536 covered by taxes.

The Lewiston General/Outside Village Fund, which only covers town expenses, has $3.669 million in appropriations, with $3,497 million covered by revenues and $171,900 from appropriated fund balance.

The highway/drainage fund has $4.142 million in appropriations with $3.946 million in revenues and $196,232 to be raised by taxes.

The water sewer pollution control center will have $2.52 million in appropriations with $2.424 million in revenues and $96,537 from appropriated fund balance.

The majority of the town’s special districts experienced either a tax increase or decrease. The amount that homes are charged for these special districts depends on their location. The changes are as follows.

• The Fire Protection District will have a levy of 2.0146, a 1.78% decrease

• The Refuse District will charge a flat rate of $88.5485, a 5.51% increase

• The MISA district will have a levy of $0.1013, a 0.84% increase.

• The South Sewer District will have a levy of $0.8612, a 0.72% decrease.

• The Lewiston Water Improvement Area will have a levy of $1.0089, a 1.02% decrease.

Agnello said the town plans on submitting its finalized budget at its Nov. 13 town board meeting, with the state having a deadline of Nov. 20. A public hearing for it will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the town hall.