Hi Kathy- Hinesburg has only one tax due date, so I'm assuming this is a moot point for us.  However, what happens if the voters decide at town meeting to change the tax due dates to more than one payment and we have not warned such an article?  Can the selectboard make the decision later?  Missy
-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kathy DeWolfe
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Article of warning--VLCT please read

The VLCT is going to issue a change in advice on this.  The selectboard must warn the article to be answered Yes or No.  See 17 V.S.A.§2681(f), so the board can either ask the voters to approve “in order” in the article or they can write the article to ask for approval of “pro rata”.

 

Best. Kathy

 

Kathleen  S. DeWolfe

Director of Elections & Campaign Finance

Office of the Secretary of State

26 Terrace St.

Montpelier, VT 05609-1101

(802) 828-2304

Visit us at http://www.sec.state.vt.us, click on Elections

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marianne A. Blake
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Artilce of warning--VLCT pleae read

 

All,

Below is advice from the VLCT.  Read the article carefully.  How could a voter vote "yes" or "no" on such a worded article?  We have been told by the Sec. of State's office that Australian ballot articles can only call for a "yes" or "no" vote.  Please someone, officially weigh in on this.

Marianne in Windsor

Do you have a sample warning article for this vote?

The following article could be used:

 

Shall amounts allocated to current year property taxes under the State of Vermont's Homestead Property Tax Income Sensitivity Program be applied to the taxpayers' property tax installments in order or pro rata, in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 6066a(f)(1)?

 

To minimize the voter confusion that this question is likely to generate, we recommend that the town report include a brief explanation of the property tax income sensitivity program and the examples of "in order" and "pro rata" provided above.

Stephanie A. Smith

 

Stephanie A. Smith

Senior Associate, Municipal Assistance Center

VT League of Cities and Towns

1-800-649-7915