Outlook
Comment for the Town Council, July 22nd Agenda Item 8b, Voter submission of a Real Property Transfer Tax
From Betsy Morgenthaler
Date Wed 7/22/2026 1:01 PM
To Veronica Dao <[email protected]>
Cc Darcy Smith <[email protected]>
July 22, 2026
Mayor: Craig Taylor
Vice Mayor: Mary Hufty
Council Members: Judith Hasko, Rebecca Flynn, Helen Wolter Subject Item 8.b. Adoption of a resolution to submit to the voters a measure authorizing a Real Property Transfer Tax
The Town's highest priority is securing voter approval for the upcoming ballot measure that if passed will result in our becoming a Charter City for the purpose of raising revenue through a real property transfer tax (RPTT). Based on discussions at recent Town Council and Finance Committee meetings, my view is that proposing a tax voters may perceive as excessive carries risk to its passage.
In presentations of one year ago the Town targeted raising an additional $1,500,000; more recently the desired revenue target grew to $2 million. At the Finance Committee meeting July 13th, staff presented what was described as an optimal proposal of a RPTT of $10 per $1,000 and estimated to generate between $2.3 to $3 million annually https://www.youtube.com/watch? V=D NPH7eFaCY (minute 15:46).
The Finance Committee posed questions about raising added revenue and reviewed the Town's list of Capital Improvement Programs under consideration. While the ballot measure would be drafted to make it possible, at some later date, for the Town Council to lower the tax rate, the more defensible and I think less risky approach would be to propose an amount aligned with the community's higher priority needs. It is still a considerable tax.
For those reasons, I support a real estate transfer tax of .8%, or $8 per $1,000 (effectively raising an additional $7.45, given current collection rate of $.55).
Many thanks for working on our collective behalf,
Betsy Morgenthaler