York Community Service Association seeks $53,843.50 to clear property tax relief waitlist

Janie Sweeney, family services manager for the York Community Service Association, told the Select Board that this year’s property tax relief outreach produced a far larger response than anticipated and left 76 households on a waitlist. She requested contingency funding to cover a shortfall the packet listed as $53,843.50 so the association can clear the current list and fulfill FY26 obligations.

Sweeney said the program’s eligibility mirrors a state refund (the Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit) and the town caps its refund at a lower amount (the program was described as a local refund equal to half of the state credit, with the state cap noted). The town manager said staff expect to be able to reallocate contracted services out of other FY26 lines and to present final budget adjustments at the Select Board’s July 13 meeting so the board can act without backdating funding.

Select Board members expressed strong support for the program and noted that the town’s contingency lines exist to address such urgent shortfalls. The manager said staff will confirm year‑end balances and recommended transfers and expects to bring final numbers for the board to act on in mid‑July.

Next steps: staff to confirm FY26 balances, identify reassignable contracted services to free contingency dollars, and present a formal funding recommendation at the July 13 Select Board meeting.