Politics
Augusta Voters Face Property Tax Changes in November Referendum
The November ballot measure would limit annual increases in assessed home values to 2 percent for primary residences, directly changing tax payments that Augusta households pay each year.
How we reported this
Augusta voters face a November referendum that would cap annual increases in residential property assessments at 2 percent for primary homes. City documents released in June describe the measure as a direct response to rising assessment values that have pushed tax bills higher in several neighborhoods over the past three years.
The proposal appears on the ballot after the city council placed it following public hearings in May. Augusta budget papers from fiscal year 2025 show property taxes supplied 38 percent of general fund revenue, funding police, fire, and road work. Household costs for housing and utilities rose 4.1 percent in the local market last year, according to regional data cited in the referendum guide.
Daily Effects on Augusta Households
A family living in a $275,000 single-family home on the west side currently pays about $3,850 in city and county property taxes. The cap would hold future assessment growth to 2 percent annually, trimming the projected bill increase by roughly $180 in the third year after approval. Renters in multi-unit buildings could see slower rent growth if owners face smaller tax hikes, though the measure does not require landlords to pass savings along.
Small business owners who live above their shops would qualify only if they prove the space is their primary residence. The legislation states that second homes and commercial parcels remain outside the cap, leaving those owners subject to full market reassessments every two years.
Revenue Outlook and Next Steps
City finance staff project a $1.2 million annual reduction in property tax collections by 2028 if the measure passes. The referendum guide notes that the shortfall would require either spending cuts or new revenue sources to maintain current service levels. Voters will receive mail ballots beginning October 12, and early voting sites open October 20 at the Augusta civic center.
Residents can read the full fiscal impact statement and sample ballot language on the city clerk’s website. Turnout among property owners has exceeded 55 percent in the past two local elections, and officials expect similar participation this fall given the direct link to monthly housing costs.