Gill tax rate down, average single-family tax bills up amid rising valuations

Published: 01-25-2025 8:38 PM |
GILL — Residents can expect a tax rate of $14.66 per $1,000 of assessed value for fiscal year 2025, representing a drop of 82 cents compared to FY24, but the average single-family home will see a $282 increase on its bill due to rising property values in town.
The numbers were approved by the Selectboard and Board of Assessors during a Jan. 13 tax classification hearing, following recommendations by the Board of Assessors to continue using a single tax rate rather than a split tax rate that would charge commercial and industrial properties a different rate, and to decline an open space discount, residential exemption and small commercial exemption.
In an interview, Principal Assessor Diane Sumrall explained the decrease in the tax rate and the increase in single-family home valuations was expected given current market trends.
“This has been happening the past couple of years,” she said, adding that sales prices on houses have been “really high” the last two years.
The average single-family home value for FY25 is $320,217, compared to $285,084 in FY24. The average tax bill for single-family homes is $4,695 for FY25 compared to $4,413 in FY24. The town’s total personal property value and real estate value sits at $230 million for FY25.
“The valuations went up, on average, about 10% overall in Gill,” Sumrall said, “and so, considering the levy, which the levy is $3,381,699, the tax rate was able to go down.”
As for the decisions to decline an open space discount, residential exemption and small commercial exemption, Sumrall said these exemptions and discounts don’t apply for a town like Gill. There is no tax classification for open space, and the residential exemption applies to resort communities with a large population of part-time residents who have second homes there, which does not apply to Gill. Additionally, there are not enough businesses in Gill for a split tax rate — with a different rate being applied to commercial and industrial properties — to reduce the tax burden significantly for residents, thus prompting town officials to use a single tax rate.
Sumrall said with the tax classification hearing complete, and with Selectboard approval, the numbers will be sent to the state Department of Revenue for final approval.
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Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.