For the third year in a row, Westport’s Board of Finance tonight unanimously kept the mill rate flat at 16.86.
That translates into $16.86 of taxes for every $1,000 of a home’s assessed value determined by the revaluation two years ago.
According to Finance Director Gary Conrad, the mill rate was based on town budget of $206,936,386, offset by revenue estimates for next year and a $3.6 million drawdown.
“We’re doing the right thing by showing a consistency,” First Selectman Jim Marpe said before the vote, adding that a flat mill rate would encourage homebuyers to choose Westport over other towns.
Michael Rea, finance board vice chairman, made the motion to approve the mill rate, a motion that was seconded by Sheri Gordon.
Rea had initially said he had hoped for a slight decrease in the mill rate, especially with the new federal tax law’s $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions.
— James Lomuscio
