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Introduction:
The Finance Department is responsible for the control, accounting, reporting and analysis of all financial transactional activity through the Town of Standish. This includes accounts payables, payroll, accounts receivable (Taxes and other), and Treasury Receipts. The department is comprised of a Finance Director who also serves as Treasurer and Tax Collector assisted by the bookkeeper, a direct reporting position, as well as a number of clerks/deputy tax collectors who report to the Town Clerk. The Finance Director routinely reports monthly operating results to the various department heads and administrators as well as to the members of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee agenda is published by the Finance Director in collaboration with the Town Manager for Finance
Committee meetings which are scheduled for the first Monday of each month.
Procurement and Vendor Payments:
The Finance Department provides core budgetary controls to the various departments of the Town of Standish through an encumbrance-based accounting system outlining purchase orders and payment through a bi-weekly warrant. All vendors must complete a form W-9 and provide the Town with valid tax ID number. All procurement via purchase order is reviewed by the Town Manager. All warrant activity is summarized and reviewed by the members of the Finance Committee. Once a vendor is assigned a vendor ID by Cheryl B. Allen, the Town's Bookkeeper, the various department heads can submit purchase requisitions allowing for Purchase Orders and Vendor Invoices to be processed. Bi-weekly vendor payments are normally in the mail on the Monday following the warrant signing. If you
have a question about the status of an invoice, you should contact the department responsible for the procurement since they are aware of what stage within the process your invoice is. Whenever possible, the Finance Department makes every effort to pay according to vendor terms.
Property Taxes:
Real and Personal property taxes are assessed, by state law on April 1 of each year. In other words, whoever owns the property as of that date is considered responsible for the taxes on that property for the coming fiscal year; July 1 of the current year through to June 30th of the following year. The Assessing Department and the Town's Assessor are responsible for assigning property values. Once values are set they are committed from the Assessor to the Tax Collector, usually around the first of September of each year. Tax bills are then able to be prepared for the convenience of the Town of Standish taxpayers, usually by the first of October. Annual tax bill amounts are payable in two equal installments with the first due usually on November 15th and the second due on May
15th of the following year. For last years tax bills (FY2006) we've provided copies of tax bills in "PDF format" which you can search and print as needed; click on FY 2006 Tax Bills. Needed for the State Circuit Breaker refund program, you can search the file for your name, address, map/lot, and print the page on your own printer. [Caution - When printing your bill be sure to print only the page(s) you want to print; just selecting the default (print all) will mean you'll print all the bills.]
A "PDF" document with FY 2007 tax amounts and due dates is also posted, although not a capacity to reprint official bills. If you have misplaced your tax bill or need an additional copy, stop by town hall where we can print you a new one.
Tax Payment Options:
The Town of Standish offers you a number of options for paying your property taxes including some 24/7-options via our website or toll free 800 phone. Here are some of your options:
1. During normal business hours; the friendly tax/clerks can take your cash, check, or debit card payments here at the municipal offices.
2. Electronic checks can be transacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by logging on to www.standish.org and clicking on the Offical Payments Corporation icon; electronic check payments (a $3.00 convenience fee will be applied). Your payment will be credited to your account on the next business day.
3. All popular credit cards can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by logging on to www.standish.org and clicking on the Offical Payments Corporation icon; credit card payments (a variable convenience fee will be displayed dependent upon the transaction amount). You will always know the amount of the convenience fee to be added to the total transaction and be able to approve or reject. Your payment will be credited to your account on the next business day.
4. Toll free phone for credit card authorization 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 800-272-9829 (use Jurisdiction Code 2912) and following the voice prompts. Your payment will be credited to your account on the next business day.
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