Tiverton FTR Early Voting Begins Today

Early voting for Tiverton's $47 million budget at the Tiverton Financial Town Referendum begins today at the Town Hall.

The 2013-14 budget represents a 2.2 percent increase in the town's property tax rate to cover operations increases - the real and tangible tax levy accounts for 77 percent of Tiverton's revenue while non-local property as well as motor vehicle, federal and state tax support the remainder of the budget.

A majority of voters must approve the school transfer of $28.7 million and operations expenses totalling $18.4 million in order to unlock the funding and authorize the tax rate for the 2013-14 budgetary year.

The proposed increase in the property tax rate is estimated to cause a 38-cent increase to homeowners - bringing the payout rate to $19.37 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Under state law, the maximum levy increase authorized under Sec. 44-5-2 of RI Gen. Law would have cost Tiverton taxpayers 73-cents more than the current year, or $19.72 per $1,000 of assessed value.

To a homeowner whose property is valued at $200,000 the rate increase translates to a $76 increase.

Early voting at the town hall occurs today and tomorrow, May 17 at the Town Hall, 343 Highland Road, Tiverton from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Early voting will also be available at the Town Hall on May 18 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Townwide, Tiverton's 2013-14 budget will be voted on by taxpayers on May 21 at the FTR by casting a ballot.

Where Do I Vote?

Rhode Island Secretary of State Ralph Mollis's office mantains a Voter Information Center polling place search web site, where voters type in their address to find out their voting district.

• Polling precincts 3302 and 3304 will vote at the VFW at 134 Shove St.
• Voting districts 3303 and 3305 may cast their ballots in the Countryview Estates Community Room, located at 325 Hurst Lane. 
• Qualified electors from polling precincts 3306 and 3307 should vote at the Amicable Congregational Church, 3736 Main Road.

Tell Us: What do you think of the 2.2 percent tax rate increase? Will you vote to approve the Tiverton 2013-14 budget?