With September coming to a close, and the annual commitment well behind us, the Presque Isle assessing office is focused on property inspections and Business Equipment Tax Reimbursements (BETR) for the remainder of the year.
As a result of these inspections and pricing adjustments made internally, the City’s overall assessment levels have been improved over the last two years. Increases were made in land values in 2016 and residential buildings in 2017. These market adjustments have resulted in an assessment ratio of 94 percent, as determined by the 2017 Maine Revenue Service annual audit. This is up from 88 percent a few years ago, and we anticipate the 2018 audit to establish the ratio at 97 percent. This same audit also has set the state valuation of the city at $560,600,000 for 2018, based on recent sales activity.
The assessing department strives to maintain this ratio and improve upon our quality rating to ensure that every taxpayer is assessed equitably. In other words, we strive to value every property for the amount it should sell for in a competitive and changing market. We continue to perform as many property inspections as possible for this purpose, and we appreciate all the cooperation we receive from you, the taxpayer, in allowing us to inspect your properties while the weather permits. The need to have current and accurate property records is one of several essential components of our work.
Regarding the BETR reimbursements, business owners who pay tax on personal property are entitled to an exemption or a reimbursement of taxes paid on business equipment that has been placed in service since April 1, 1995. The reimbursement period for tax paid during the 2016 tax year ends Dec. 31. Business owners not receiving this reimbursement should contact this office to discuss the BETR and Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) programs; participating will save you money. The Presque Isle businesses who participate in the BETE program were exempt on over $13,000,000 of assessed value for 2017. Find more information regarding all tax relief programs at:
http://www.maine.gov/revenue/propertytax/propertytaxbenefits/propertytaxbenefits.htm.
It has been nearly one year since the City went online with a Geographic Information System. By utilizing this city-provided online service, anyone can access the current assessing records, maps and commitment information via the internet. This searchable GIS system incorporates satellite, street view, and aerial imagery. We update annually after the commitment process has been completed. The 2017 ownership information online is current to Apr. 1, 2017. Many positive comments have come from professionals who utilize this service, and we are happy to demonstrate the abilities of this system to interested parties.
To access the city website go to http://presqueislemaine.gov/. On the homepage is a tab labeled “assessing maps” which brings you to the GIS system. You can also go to “departments,” “assessing” and then “assessing maps.” Here you will see additional information on the assessor’s page regarding our assessment process, such as the mil rate, due date, interest rate, appeal deadline and so forth. There are links to the 2015, 2016 and 2017 commitment books on this page as well.
From Jan. 1 to July 31, 2017, Maine Revenue generated 144 real estate transfer tax declarations on Presque Isle properties. The value of the properties affected by these sales is $14,711,474, or an average of $102,163 per sale. The associated transfer tax paid to the state on these Presque Isle properties sold is $43,968.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts in the past year. Our job is to provide all taxpayers with fair assessments and we appreciate all the cooperation so many property owners have given in allowing us into your properties, answering our questions, and providing us the information we need to be fair to all property owners of the city. We hope everyone uses and finds benefit in the GIS services, and by all means, contact us with any questions or concerns regarding your assessment.
Lewis Cousins is Presque Isle’s assessor. He can be reached at 760-2714 or via email at lcousins@presqueisleme.us.
