2020.04.13 Council Agenda Item 5
Summary
Order to authorize the Town Manager to extend the property tax payment due date to June 30, 2020 if the Governor issues an executive order to enable such action.
A public comment period will be included with this item.
ACTION: Council action is anticipated.
Description
The deadline for property tax payments is May 7. Town officials explored several avenues for extending payment deadlines. Presently, there is no statutory authority to move the date taxes are due or the date when interest accrues, even for emergency circumstances. Despite actions taken by other municipalities, neither the emergency bill recently enacted by the Legislature nor the Governor’s emergency declaration or orders have made any changes to the laws governing property taxes, due dates, interest accrual, or tax lien procedures. The Town of Falmouth and other communities, through the Maine Municipal Association, have petitioned the Governor for a legal remedy. At this meeting, the Council will consider an order to authorize the Town Manager to extend the property tax payment due date to June 30, 2020 if this occurs.
