There's an initiative on the April ballot (Article 9) that would change how the City processes property tax payments.

Currently (as of today, March 11, 2026), postmarks count as proof of on-time payment. Vermont law requires this unless voters approve a change. We haven't held such a vote since separating from the Town.

Mail can be slow, and sometimes checks mailed on time arrive late. Legally, when late, the City must apply an 8% penalty. But thenstaff then has to manually remove that penalty if the postmark proves the payment was on time.

The proposed change would require payments to arrive by the deadline instead of just being postmarked. I voted against putting this on the ballot, and will vote No in April.

Fewer than 20 payments per year are affected, so I believe we should lean into making things easier for taxpayers.

The next tax deadline is March 16, 2026. To be safe:
1) Drop your payment off in person
2) Use the drop box at 2 Lincoln St
3) or Mail it at a post office counter and get a hand-stamped postmark

These are my personal views, and not necessarily those of the City nor Council.

--
Brian Shelden, City Councilor
City of Essex Junction
bshelden@essexjunction.org
+1 (802) 879-7665