St. George established the 2023-24 Mill Rate at 11.10 /$1,000 of assessed valuation.  This is an increase from the 2022 Mill Rate of 10.10.

The rates that appear on tax bills in Maine, set in August, are denominated by the municipal mill rates. A mill is the tax per 1,000 dollars in assessed value. For example, a home with an assessed value of $150,000 and a mill rate of 20 ($20 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value) would pay $3,000 in annual property taxes.

Many municipalities now split tax payment obligation dates to twice a year; in the late summer/early fall and again in the early spring. St. George tax bills will soon be mailed out and are payable in two parts.  The first half is due on September 30, 2023 and the second half is due on March 31, 2024.

The St. George municipal budget increased this year, as approved by voters in May, to $4.2 million, up more than $500,000 from 2022-2023.
 
The St. George increase is the result of several factors, said the town, in an Aug. 7 news release. The factors include:
 
• General increase in costs due to inflation

• A 16% increase in the amount of tax the town must pay to Knox County (making the town the third highest assessed municipality in Knox County after Camden and Rockport)

• Increase in costs for the St. George Municipal School District

• Costs incurred as a result of the ambulance service incorporation into the municipal budget as the Emergency Medicine Department

• Increasing in salaries and health insurance for town employees

• Increase in costs of diesel and gas fuels for the Town, in particular transportation costs related to the Transfer Station. 

How does the St George mill rate compare to other municipalities in Knox County?

Below are known 2023 Mill rates:
Rockland, 24.27
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Thomaston, 21.82
South Thomaston, 16.15
Union, 14.80
St George, 11.10

 According to the news release, the most complete data showing the full value (full adjusted) mill rate for 17 communities in Knox County is from 2021.

The highest was Rockland at 20.87, the lowest was Matinicus Isle at 7.51.

In 2021, St George was the second lowest at 8.09. 

“We think the Town of St George ranking will again be very low compared others in the County for 2023,” the town said.