Assessor

The Assessor’s Office is charged with fairly and equitably assessing all properties in the city.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the city’s tax assessment program (real property, personal property, business equipment), maintain assessment records, and provide public access for review.

• Answer inquiries regarding state property tax exemptions, refunds, and applicable laws.

• Create and maintain the annual tax commitment, tax rolls, listings of city-owned and exempt properties, and tax map systems.
  

Each year the office ensures property values remain at or near 100% of market value, updating valuations when needed.
The office provides an online database of Property Record Cards, and offers in-person review appointments.

Key Data

• Tax Rate (per $1,000): $16.10.

• Tax Year: July 1 – June 30.

• Certified Assessment-to-Sale Ratio: 100%.

• Tax bills: Sent the 2nd week in September. Due date: October 15.

• 2025 Tax Commitment Date: August 28, 2025.

Abatement is a reduction in one's property tax bill. They are granted when the Assessor discovers an error in assessment or if the owner points such an error out. If the owner believes that the current value placed on their property is inaccurate, unfair, or overvalued relative to other similar properties or the current real estate market, they may file for an abatement or appeal their assessment with the Assessment Review Board

The city participates in state programs such as the Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Property Tax Deferral loan program to help residential taxpayers. 

Current Use Property Tax Relief

The tax relief programs are linked to the property's uses. Land used for farmland, working waterfront, or forestry purposes may be eligible for such a program, which reduces the taxable valuation of the land to its value in its current use. Land that has conservation value and/or that permits public access may be eligible for the open space program, which reduces the taxable value of such land by a designated percentage, depending on the degree of benefit provided. The four current use programs are Farmland, Tree Growth, Working Waterfront, and Open Space.

Property Tax Exemptions

Property Tax Exemptions reduce the taxable valuation of a property by a specific amount. Eligibility generally depends on the characteristics of property's owners. The most common property tax exemptions are the homestead exemption, the veteran's or veteran's survivor exemption, and the blind exemption. There is also a renewable energy tax exemption, which is based on the characteristics of the renewable energy equipment (i.e. solar panels) that have been installed.

Maine Property Tax Relief

Maine Property Tax Relief programs are administered through Maine Revenue Services. The two existing programs are the Property Tax Fairness Credit, which provides a reimbursable income tax credit (meaning, you can apply for and receive this credit even if you do not owe any state income taxes) and the Property Tax Deferral Program, which provides a lifeline loan from the State of Maine that will pay your property taxes, to be repaid when the property is sold or becomes part of an estate.