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Guidelines for Chapter 220 Work Volunteer Program

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Approved December 15, 2008

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A. APPLICABILITY This policy shall apply to the Administration of the City Code Chapter 220-2 Volunteer Citizen Work-off Program.

B. PURPOSE The purpose of these guidelines is to administer Section 220 of the City Code, (ref 220-1 Volunteer Citizen Work -Off Program). The City of Saco understands that the State of Maine sponsored Tax Rebate Program may in certain instances still not grant the amount of property tax relief for families and individuals that may be necessary.

Therefore the City of Saco has by ordinance adopted the volunteer program. The program guidelines are as follows:

C. ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

1. Participant must have reached the age of 60 prior to or on April 1st for the tax year they are applying for.
2. Participant must be a legal resident of the City of Saco.
3. Participant must be the owner of record as of April 1st and reside in the dwelling the abatement will be applied to.
4. Limit of only one participant per household per fiscal tax year (July 1st - June 30th).
   
   Except: If two qualifying senior applicants own property together as "joint tenants", then each person will be allowed to work 51.5 hours (together as a team) in order to receive a single Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off abatement for that fiscal tax year.
5. Limit of only one abatement per household per tax year.
6. In order to receive an abatement of up to $750.00, a maximum of 103 hours must have been completed two weeks prior to the second half property tax bill due date.
7. Participant's household income cannot exceed $60,000. The participant's annual tax bill must be more than 4% of the household income (based on previous year's gross income). Due to the limited resources available to the City of Saco, annual participation is not guaranteed. Annual participation will be based on the amount of funds certified to the Assessor by the City Council on an annual basis. The primary selection of applicants for this program will be based on greatest financial need first then secondary selection criteria will be based on the applicant's past program participation and or extenuating circumstances.

Due to the limited resources available to the City of Saco, annual participation is not guaranteed. Annual participation will be based on the amount of funds certified to the Assessor by the City Council on an annual basis. Applicants will be selected on a needs basis.

D. ANNUAL PROCEDURES

1. The City Assessor is the Program Administrator.
2. On or Before February 1st each year Departments must request the number of hours and tasks that they would like accomplished for the ensuing year.
3. On or about April 1st the City Council will certify to the Assessor the amount of funds to be added to the commitment overlay for the ensuing year.
4. Application deadline is May 1st each year.
5. All work must be completed two weeks prior to the second half due date for property taxes as set by Council each year.
6. Applicant's certification for work will be done by the Human Resource Department as is typical for any part time employee.
7. An annual report will be submitted by the Program Administrator to the City Council by March 1st.