Hollis Select Board Transparency Archive

It sounds good to me but I’d defer to our attorney as well just to make sure we cover all the bases. Thanks Mike!

Danielle

On 2026-07-20 13:58, Mike Harnois wrote: > Hi all, > > I understand that at the special time meeting, the question can be > discussed in depth. But as we are trying get this out there and the > warrant will be on the website before the vote, I propose we write a > question as if it was on a secret ballot (with note). > > Here is how I would write (edits welcome and can be discussed on > Thursday). I would also ask Dick or Roger to have Ben review before > Thursday to make sure there is no advocacy in the language. > > Article 1: Shall the Town vote to appropriate up to $265,000 from the > Town’s existing Unassigned/Operation Fund Balance, which consists of > funds the Town already holds and requires no new taxes to be raised, > to conduct a town-wide revaluation of real property? > > Note: Hollis has not conducted a full revaluation since 2000, > twenty-six years ago. Maine law requires municipalities to maintain > assessments at fair market value, and the Town’s assessment current > ratio (2026 TY predicted at 52%) has fallen well below state > standards. A revaluation corrects inequities between properties that > have appreciated at different rates. It does not, by itself, increase > the total taxes the Town collects. This article will not raise > property taxes; it spends money already in the Town’s fund balance. > > Select Board Recommends. Finance Committee Recommends (they recommend > the last question, but we may need to leave this off because it has > changed (slightly). > > Please don't reply all. > > As a reminder, I will not be able to attend Thursday in person or > online. > > Thanks, > > Mike