HARTFORD — The Selectboard set the town’s property tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year in an emergency meeting last week.
The new rates account for a steep climb in the total value of property in Hartford, which comprises Hartford Village, Quechee, West Hartford, White River Junction and Wilder.
The total town and education tax rate for homesteads is set at $1.90 per $100 of property valuation, which is a 41% decrease from the 2025 fiscal year’s rate.
Meanwhile, the total town and education tax rate for non-homesteads is $1.85 per $100 of property valuation, representing a 43% decrease.
The new rate, which the board set last Thursday, follows a town-wide reappraisal earlier this year, which the town contracted with Texas-based company Tyler Technologies to conduct. The town’s total property value is now estimated at $2.6 billion. On average, property values increased 86% from the last appraisal in 2017.
Town Manager John Haverstock attributed the climb in property value to the influx of new Vermont residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
People had “a desire to get out into the country,” he said.
The rising cost of materials was another contributing factor in climbing property values, he said.
The town’s annual budget also is used in calculating the property tax rate. The town budget of $22.47 million, which voters approved in March, was up $1.07 million, or 5%, from last year.
Haverstock attributed some of the increase in the town budget to a rise in health insurance premiums and wages.
The other major contributing factor to the tax rate is the education property tax rate, which is based on the statewide tax rates set by the Legislature and on spending in individual school districts.
In Hartford, the education tax rate for homesteads is $1.26 per $100 of property valuation, representing a 38% decrease from last fiscal year. The tax rate for non-homesteads is $1.19, a 43% decrease from last fiscal year.
In March, the town approved a school budget of $55.1 million, an 8% increase from last year’s budget.
What effect Hartford’s new property tax rates will have on how much residents pay in taxes is specific to individual properties.
For instance, under the new rate and property valuation, Hartford Selectboard Chairwoman Mary Erdei’s tax bill for her home in Wilder increased roughly 5.5%, or $400. The value of her home, which was assessed at roughly $260,000 in 2017, increased 78% in the 2025 appraisal.
“We want to be welcoming to everybody,” Erdei said in a phone interview. “And it’s tough during this day and age.”
Tax bills were mailed by July 15. Bills are payable in two installments. The first installment, which covers the period between July 1 and Dec. 31 is due on Aug. 15, 2025. Bills postmarked on or before Aug. 15 will be considered on time. Taxes also can be paid online through the town’s website, hartford-vt.org.
Marion Umpleby can be reached at mumpleby@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.
