By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – Auburn property tax watchdogs will talk about state valuations and reform movements when they meet in January.

It is the first public meeting for the United Citizens of Auburn, the group formed after the city began mailing property revaluation notices to taxpayers last month.

“It’s partly informational, partly a rally to let them know that we are active and are trying to get things done,” said Ed Desgrosseillers, co-chairman of the group.

The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Auburn Middle School cafeteria.

“Our focus is still the assessment, on keeping up with that and getting the city to admit that it was done incorrectly,” Desgrosseillers said.

The city assessing office began the revaluation in 2001 and wrapped it up in May of this year. The city mailed revaluation notices to taxpayers in November, showing values that doubled or tripled in many cases.

The city’s notices also included a property tax calculation based on a $22 mill rate, and that showed property taxes doubling or tripling for many homes as well. It’s led to citywide tax reform movement and possible recall of Mayor Normand Guay and four city councilors.

The January meeting will focus on state tax issues. Dave Ledew, acting director of the Property Tax division of the Maine Department of Revenue, is scheduled to speak. Desgrosseillers said state tax reform advocates have been invited as well to talk about a proposed Taxpayers Bill of Rights, or TABOR amendment.

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