Hollis Select Board Transparency Archive

Hi Mike,

I like the wording of the article but the last few sentences of the Note sounds like advocating to me.

Maybe take those last 2 off or work in some more black & white, Perhaps something like this:

Note: Hollis last conducted a town-wide revaluation in 2000, twenty-six years ago. Maine law requires municipalities to maintain assessments at fair market value and generally requires a full revaluation at least once every 10 years. The State also requires municipalities to maintain an assessment ratio of at least 70% of just value. Hollis' projected 2026 assessment ratio is approximately 52%, well below the State's minimum standard. A revaluation updates property assessments to reflect current market values and improve equity among properties.

I think that still gives voters the background on why the article is before them without getting into similar language that we took out of the FAQs and AI flyer.

I agree Ben should review the final wording.

Thanks,

Dan

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

-- Dan Yarumian Town of Hollis Select Board [email protected]