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Community Corner

Bethel's High Mill Rate Deters Businesses – Both New and Established

Since the Bethel Action Committee hosted their April 29th Property Tax Forum, there has been much discussion and public commentary centered around Bethel’s mill rate.

The current levy of $31.50 per each $1,000 of assessed value on houses, cars and commercial real and personal property has generated a public outcry that has resulted in town side budget defeats on May 15, June 12 and June 26.

While comparing Bethel’s mill rate with neighboring towns requires an understanding of the differing valuations of property by local assessors ; there is an index that evens out – or “equalizes” –  these differences and allows for an “apples to apples” comparison.

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This “equalized mill rate” was published in the NewsTimes’ Business Section on Sunday, June 29th – Click here to see a PDF. The chart comparing levels of taxation within our vicinity confirms that Bethel is a high tax municipality.

The chart shows the reasons why Bethel business owners would rather set up shop in neighboring tax jurisdictions. There is a significant financial incentive to avoid tax exposure from 19.02 in Bethel as compared to 17.35 in Danbury, 16.34 in New Fairfield, 16.59 in Brookfield, and 15.98 in Ridgefield. 

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The negative impact of the high mill rate on Bethel business owners is only exacerbated by the current sluggishness of national and state economies. Bethel’s current budget process has brought forth vocal and energized business owners who find the current mill rate on commercial real and personal property onerous and the primary reason for not staying in Bethel or setting up shop here.

Only Newtown had a higher equalized mill rate than Bethel, coming in at 20.33. Newtown and Bethel are the most highly- taxed towns in the area. What makes Bethel’s mill rate all the more onerous and the past three budget rejections completely understandable is the fact that Bethel has the lowest wealth ranking of our area towns.

Even with Fairfield County at the top of the heap In terms of wealth, Bethel ranks 100th out of 169 Connecticut towns, compared to Redding (10th), Ridgefield (9th ), Newtown (42nd), Brookfield (27th), and New Fairfield (73rd).

Bethel residents pay more for their car taxes than any town except Newtown. We need to get a grip on reality, and we need to do it now.

Bethel Action Committee

Cynthia McCorkindale, Chairman
Billy Michael, Treasurer


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