By Evan Johnson
KILLINGTON—At the Jan. 17 Select Board meeting, board members weighed the pros and cons of adjusting the number of tax payments to three, to be paid in August, November and February. The new schedule would eliminate the May “mud season” payment.
When the town shifted to a fiscal year calendar, its tax payment schedule shifted as well to four times a year. Select Board Chair Patty McGrath said one of the pros was that property owners’ payments were split into four pieces instead of two large ones.
“A lot of people have commented to me that was a lot easier for them,” she said.
For the town, processing payments and answering taxpayers takes time. McGrath said three payments would reduce the workload for at least one quarter, increase the town’s mid-year cashflow and give a more complete picture of cash on hand when taxpayers are looking forward to the next town budget.
“This would give us a better idea at the informational meeting how we’re tracking on our revenues as far as our tax collection,” she said.
Select Board member Ken Lee noted that taxpayers would pay more than 100 percent in the first year but be resolved in the first year.
