ROCKPORT — Rockport’s mill rate has increased by 6 percent over last year to $17.05. While the town and county appropriations increased by 4.44 percent and 4.51 percent, respectively, the schools’ appropriation rose 7.85 percent.

A mill rate is the unit used to calculate how much to tax a piece of property to fund the municipal, public school and county budgets, all approved by voters at June town meeting.

A mill rate of 17.05 means that for every $1,000 of property valuation, the property owner in Rockport will be paying $17.05 in taxes this coming year.

In 2018, a home assessed in Rockport at $250,000 was presented last year with a $4,020 tax bill, on the 16.08 mill rate. This year, the property owner will receive a $4,262 tax bill.

Last year, Rockport’s mill rate increased by 9 percent. In 2017, the mill rate was 14.75; in 2018 it was 16.08; this year, it is 17.05.

The schools were again the largest reason to the need for additional revenues, according to a Sept. 5 news release from the Rockport Town Office.

In Rockport, 68.47 percent of the property taxes go to funding the elementary, middle and high schools of School Administrative District 28 and the Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School).

The town appropriates 24.92 percent of the tax pie, and Knox County, 6.61 percent.

In Rockport, the mil rate has fluctuated over the past decade. in 2006, it was 9.06; in 2003, it was 15.95.

This year’s 7.85 percent increase translates into $802,002 of valuation, while the town and county combined for less than half of that increase at $312,528.

Last year the schools increase was $1,034,894, compared with that year’s townand county increase of $625,904.

Tax bills should be arriving during the week of September 9.