The Select Board on Monday addressed questions about an upcoming vote on the unified tax rate

LYNDON — The Select Board on Monday addressed questions about an upcoming vote on the unified tax rate. Under the town-village merger enacted July 1, Lyndon will have one grand list and one property tax rate. To accomplish that, former “town” taxpayers would see a 9.5-cent tax increase and former “village” taxpayers would see a 41-cent decrease, based on 2022 numbers. The enabling legislation allows for the unified tax to be phased in over time to soften the blow. Residents of the former Lyndonville Village District will vote on Dec. 8 to determine if the unified tax rate is effective immediately on Jan. 1, 2024, or phased in over three years.  However, Town Administrator Justin Smith was hopeful that village voters would consider the three-year, phased-in approach for the greater good. The Select Board and Village Trustees on Sept. 26, 2022, voted 6-1 to approve the draft charter and send it to the voters.