Hello Gail,

Roxbury changed to a fiscal year two years ago.  We have two tax payments.
We were August and November but we changed that to August and February with
the final school payment due in June.  That change worked out great for us.
Before the school received their final payment in the new year.  We did a 6
month budget and then a 12 month versus the 18 months.  We thought that
would be better for the taxpayers.  We had a special town meeting in
December to approve the 6 month budget then the normal town meeting for the
regular 12 months.  It went relatively smoothly.  The mortgage holders
didn't quite understand the extra bill but bills were paid.  I don't think I
would have wanted it any other way.  I lived thru the 18 month tax bill for
the school and it wasn't fun.  People were angry over the large bill and
very confused.

If you have any other questions, I am here to help.

Tammy
Town of Roxbury

-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tinmouth, Vermont
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 5:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: changing fiscal years

Hi All,

My Select Board is considering changing the town to a fiscal year to 
coincide with the school.
So as their assistant I've been given the task of research.  Can you 
all help me?

Any pitfalls?

Have you done it and not switched to quarterly payments? (We have two 
payments and I'd like to keep it that way.)

Did you budget for 18 months or 6 months and then 12 months?

Any advice on how to make sure it goes smoothly?

Thanks very kindly.

:-)
Gail Fallar