08/11/2026
"The Milo Select Board has prepared and released the following statement to provide additional details about the factors that influence the MIL rate and outline the different factors involved with the revaluation process."
Understanding Milo’s Revaluation and Mill Rate
There has been a lot of discussion around Town about the recent revaluation and changes in property tax bills. The Select Board would like to provide some additional information to help residents better understand what happened and why.
The Revaluation
There were several reasons a Town-wide revaluation was needed. Over time, inconsistencies had developed in the Town’s property records and assessments, and some properties or improvements had not been properly assessed or updated for many years. Maine law requires municipalities to maintain an assessment ratio of at least 70%. Prior to the revaluation, Milo’s ratio had fallen to approximately 57%, below that State standard. Along with the inconsistencies in property records, this was an important reason a Town-wide revaluation was needed. The revaluation allowed the Town to update its records, assess properties more consistently and bring Milo’s assessment ratio back to approximately 100%. This ratio is used in various State calculations and can affect certain exemptions, reimbursements and other revenues the Town receives. A revaluation does not automatically mean everyone’s taxes will increase by the same amount. If you believe there is an error with your individual assessment, please contact the Town’s assessing team. An abatement process is also available for property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect.
What Affects the Mill Rate?
The mill rate is based on the amount that must be raised through property taxes and the Town’s total taxable value. The municipal budget, school assessment, county tax and other available revenues all play a part in determining the mill rate.
School and County Budgets
Last year, the school budget was initially rejected. Because the Town needed to set the mill rate and send out tax bills, the previous year’s school budget was used at that time, as recommended by the State and legal counsel. When the school budget eventually passed, Milo’s share had increased by approximately $190,000. Rather than adding that entire increase to last year’s taxes, voters approved using Town reserves to cover it, so the $190,000 was not included in last year’s mill rate. This year, the school assessment did not decrease and Milo’s share increased by approximately another $102,000. Together, that meant approximately $292,000 in school costs affecting this year’s tax commitment, equal to roughly 3 mills. The County tax assessed to the Town of Milo also increased by nearly $45,000 this year. Both of these increases are part of the amount the Town must raise through property taxes.
Putting It All Together
There isn’t one single reason why someone’s property tax bill may have changed this year. The revaluation, municipal budget, school assessment, county assessment, Town-wide taxable value and other revenues all play a part in determining the mill rate and individual tax bills. We understand that changes in assessments and tax bills can be concerning. Our goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of where the numbers came from and the different factors that went into this year’s taxes. Anyone with questions about their individual property assessment is encouraged to contact the Town’s assessing team.
