Source: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/24/051
Timestamp: 2017-12-18 16:20:59
Document Index: 336556069

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1521', '§ 28', '§ 19', '§ 1522', '§ 1524', '§ 4791', '§ 79', '§ 1525', '§ 4774', '§ 5136', '§ 80', '§ 1526', '§ 81', '§ 1528', '§ 1529', '§ 28', '§ 3', '§ 1531', '§ 1532', '§ 1533', '§ 82', '§ 82', '§ 1534', '§ 5136', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 83', '§ 24', '§ 30', '§ 3', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 1536', '§ 2', '§ 84', '§ 83', '§ 1537', '§ 3', '§ 1538', '§ 1571', '§ 163', '§ 5', '§ 27', '§ 1572', '§ 1573', '§ 1', '§ 1574', '§ 4791', '§ 1575', '§ 17', '§ 1576', '§ 1577', '§ 1578', '§ 1579', '§ 1580', '§ 1581', '§ 1582', '§ 1583', '§ 84', '§ 1584', '§ 85', '§ 1621', '§ 1622', '§ 1623', '§ 1', '§ 1651', '§ 53', '§ 1652', '§ 37', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 29', '§ 2122', '§ 2651', '§ 119', '§ 5', '§ 2', '§ 38', '§ 1684', '§ 1685', '§ 86', '§ 323', '§ 7', '§ 31', '§ 28', '§ 4', '§ 1687', '§ 1688', '§ 1689', '§ 87', '§ 1690', '§ 14', '§ 1', '§ 1691', '§ 1692', '§ 4', '§ 1696', '§ 4', '§ 1697', '§ 4']

Chapter 051: FINANCES; ACCOUNTS AND AUDITS
Subchapter 001: TAXES
§ 1521. Tax bills and warrants
The selectboard shall seasonably make out and deliver to the proper collector, or to the town treasurer, if the town has voted to collect its taxes by that officer, tax bills for State, county, town, town school district, and highway taxes, with the name of each person taxed and the amount of the tax. They shall annex proper warrants thereto for collection and may include all of such taxes or a part thereof in one tax bill; provided, however, that a tax bill that includes an assessment of tax on a homestead shall separately state the amount of tax imposed on the housesite for municipal services and the amount of tax imposed on the housesite for education property tax. One warrant only shall be required for the collection of taxes on such tax bill. The selectboard shall certify on a tax bill, so made out what taxes are included therein and the rate percent of each tax so included. (Amended 1997, No. 60, § 28, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, No. 76 (Adj. Sess.), § 19, eff. Feb. 17, 2004.)
§ 1522. Receipt for tax bills
Upon the delivery of such tax bills to the collector, the selectboard shall take from him or her a receipt therefor, and shall deliver the same to the town treasurer.
§ 1524. Tax levies; how kept
The town treasurer upon receiving from the selectboard a town tax bill under the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 4791 or the receipt of the tax collector for such bill under the provisions of section 1522 of this title shall credit the town highway department and the town school district each with the gross sum of the levy provided for such department and district. The balance of such levy shall be credited to the general fund. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 79.)
§ 1525. Tax levies; credit for gains
The treasurer shall thereafter credit to the general fund all gains over the total sum of such rate bill by reason of fractional discounts under the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 4774 or of interest charges upon delinquent tax payments under the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 5136 or any other gain. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 80.)
§ 1526. Tax levies; debit of general fund
The treasurer shall debit thereafter such general fund with:
(1) all collection fees allowed such treasurer for receiving taxes and issuing his or her warrant to the collector;
(2) any other lawful costs of collection;
(3) abatements made by the board for the abatement of taxes; and
(4) any other diminution or loss in the course of the enforcement of such rate bill. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 81.)
§ 1528. Collector of taxes
When a town at its annual meeting elects a collector of taxes, he or she shall collect State, county, town, and town school district taxes. Warrants and rate bills for the collection of such taxes shall be directed to the collector, and he or she shall give his or her receipt therefor. He or she shall collect and pay over such taxes agreeably to his or her warrant.
§ 1529. First constable as collector
The first constable shall be collector of State, county, town, and town school district taxes when a collector of taxes is not elected at the annual town meeting, and shall pay over the taxes collected agreeably to the warrants for their collection.
If a municipality votes to pay a salary or other compensation for collecting taxes in lieu of fees and commissions, the latter shall be turned in to the municipal treasurer at least once a month. (Amended 1997, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 29, 1998; 2003, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
§ 1531. Payment of money; inspection of tax book
When requested by notice in writing signed by a majority of the selectboard, the collector of taxes shall pay to the town treasurer the money belonging to the town and the town school district collected by him or her. He or she shall submit his or her tax book and list to the treasurer for inspection and computation. When he or she fails to do so for ten days, he or she shall be fined not more than $100.00.
§ 1532. Settlement; disqualification for neglect
Annually, on or before February 1, the collector shall pay over all monies collected by him or her to the treasuries to which they belong and settle his or her account with the treasurers. When he or she refuses or neglects so to do, he or she shall be ineligible to reelection for the ensuing year.
§ 1533. Town board for the abatement of taxes
The board of civil authority, with the listers and the town treasurer, shall constitute a board for the abatement of town, town school district, and current use taxes. The act of a majority of a quorum at a meeting shall be treated as the act of the board. This quorum requirement need not be met if the town treasurer, a majority of the listers, and a majority of the selectboard are present at the meeting. (Amended 1999, No. 49, § 82, eff. June 2, 1999; 2017, No. 74, § 82.)
§ 1534. Meetings; how notified
Meetings of such board shall be notified like meetings of the board of civil authority, except that at least one of the listers shall have personal notice of such meetings.
(a) The board may abate in whole or part taxes, interest, or collection fees, other than those arising out of a corrected classification of homestead or nonresidential property, accruing to the town in the following cases:
(b) The board's abatement of an amount of tax shall automatically abate any uncollected interest and fees relating to that amount.
(c) The board shall, in any case in which it abates taxes, interest, or collection fees accruing to the town, or denies an application for abatement, state in detail in writing the reasons for its decision.
(d) The board may order that any abatement as to an amount or amounts already paid be in the form of a refund or in the form of a credit against the tax for the next ensuing tax year, and for succeeding tax years if required to use up the amount of the credit. Whenever a municipality votes to collect interest on overdue taxes pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 5136, interest in a like amount shall be paid by the municipality to any person for whom an abatement has been ordered. Interest on taxes paid and subsequently abated shall accrue from the date payment was due or made, whichever is later. However, abatements issued pursuant to subdivision (a)(5) of this section need not include the payment of interest. When a refund has been ordered, the board shall draw an order on the town treasurer for such payment. (Amended 1975, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1989, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 24, 1990; 1991, No. 19; 1995, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1999, No. 49, § 83, eff. June 2, 1999; 1999, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 24, eff. May 29, 2000; 2001, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 30, eff. June 21, 2002; 2003, No. 76 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Feb. 17, 2004; 2005, No. 14, §§ 6, 7, eff. May 3, 2005; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.)
§ 1536. Abatement; record; discharge
The board for the abatement of taxes shall make a record of taxes, interest, and fees so abated, which shall be recorded in the office of the town clerk and a certified copy shall be forwarded forthwith to the collector of taxes and the town treasurer. The collector shall mark in the tax bill the taxes, interest, and fees abated and the persons against whom they were assessed shall be discharged from their payment. An abatement of a use change tax shall be separately recorded in the land records of the municipality in which the property subject to the abatement is located and shall effect a release of the land use lien on the portion of the property abated. (Amended 1989, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 24, 1990; 1999, No. 49, § 84, eff. June 2, 1999; 2017, No. 74, § 83.)
§ 1537. City or village board of tax abatement
The board for the abatement of taxes of a city shall consist of the mayor, city clerk, and aldermen thereof and the justices of the peace and assessors residing therein; of a village, of the trustees and clerk thereof and the justices of the peace and listers residing therein. Such board may abate taxes, interest, and fees accruing to such municipality in all cases where a different provision is not made by the charter, acts of incorporation, or amendments thereto, of such municipality. (Amended 1989, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 24, 1990.)
§ 1538. Assessment of tax to pay execution
When a demand is made upon a city, town, town school district, or incorporated village for payment of an execution issued against it, and funds are not available in its treasury to pay the same, the mayor and board of aldermen, selectboard, or trustees shall forthwith assess a tax upon the grand list of the city, town, town school district, or incorporated village, sufficient to pay such execution with the charges and 12 percent interest thereon, and cause the same to be collected within 60 days.
Subchapter 002: TOWN TREASURER; ACCOUNTS; CITY ACCOUNTS
§ 1571. Accounts; reports
(a) The town treasurer shall keep an account of monies, bonds, notes, and evidences of debt paid or delivered to him or her, and of monies paid out by him or her for the town and the town school district, which accounts shall at all times be open to the inspection of persons interested.
(b) Monies received by the town treasurer on behalf of the town may be invested and reinvested by the treasurer with the approval of the legislative body.
(c) The town treasurer shall file quarterly reports with the legislative body regarding his or her actions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) The town treasurer shall annually, on or before June 30, complete and provide to the selectboard a copy of the document made available by the Auditor of Accounts pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 163(11) regarding internal financial controls. (Amended 1981, No. 239 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 27.)
§ 1572. City accounts
The accounting officers of the several cities within the State shall keep uniform accounts in a manner prescribed by the Auditor of Accounts.
§ 1573. Assistant treasurer
A town or city treasurer may appoint an assistant town or city treasurer and may revoke any such appointment at any time. The town or city treasurer shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of any assistant appointed by him or her. If after written request from the selectboard to appoint an assistant treasurer, the town or city treasurer fails for ten days to do so, the selectboard may appoint an assistant treasurer and may revoke such appointment at any time. An assistant treasurer, during the temporary absence or disability of the treasurer, shall perform the duties of treasurer. The appointment and revocation of assistant treasurer shall be recorded in the office of the town or city clerk. (Amended 1959, No. 183, § 1)
§ 1574. Record of taxes voted
The treasurer shall keep a record showing the amount of taxes voted for the support of highways, schools, special departments, if any, and for general town purposes. Such record shall be based upon an inspection of the town and town district tax bills, when placed with the treasurer by the selectboard under the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 4791. When such taxes are collected by a tax collector, such record may be based upon the collector's tax receipt.
§ 1575. Repealed. 1985, No. 196 (Adj. Sess.), § 17.
§ 1576. Town treasurer; record of orders
The treasurer shall pay orders drawn on him or her by officials authorized by law to draw such orders. If he or she does not pay such orders, on demand, the holder thereof may recover the amount from the town, with interest from the time of such demand. The treasurer shall keep a record of such orders not paid on demand in a book kept for that purpose. In the event, however, where there are insufficient funds on hand for the payment of any such order, the treasurer shall forthwith notify the selectboard and the officer drawing the same.
§ 1577. [Omitted.].
§ 1578. Settlement with auditors and successor
The treasurer shall settle with the auditors five days previous to each annual town meeting, and at such other times as the selectboard may require and whenever he or she retires from office. At the close of his or her term of office he or she shall immediately pay over to his or her successor the funds in his or her hands belonging to the town and the town school district and at the same time deliver to his or her successor all official books and papers in his or her possession.
§ 1579. Collector's receipt
The town and town school district treasurer shall endorse upon the receipt given by the collector of taxes and lodged with such treasurer all payments thereon made by such collector and such abatements thereof as may be made by the board for the abatement of taxes.
§ 1580. Account with collector
The town and town school district treasurer shall keep with the collector of taxes a separate account of each annual tax bill by endorsing thereon his or her payments and the abatement allowed by the board for abatement of taxes with the date of each endorsement.
§ 1581. Balance due treasurer
When a balance is due a treasurer, the auditors shall draw and deliver to him or her an order therefor on the town treasury.
§ 1582. Outstanding orders; notice to stop interest
When a municipality has outstanding interest bearing orders due and payable, the treasurer may give notice that such orders will be paid on presentation at his or her office on or before a day certain named in such notice, and that after such day such orders shall cease to draw interest.
§ 1583. Outstanding orders; publication of notice
Such notice shall be given personally or by publication in a newspaper published in the county, or if none is published in the county, in a newspaper published in an adjoining county, at least three weeks successively, the last publication to be at least 15 days before the day named in such notice. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 84.)
§ 1584. Outstanding orders; no interest after day of notice
When such notice has been given, by publication as set forth in section 1583 of this subchapter or by written notice signed by the treasurer and delivered to the holder of any such order, such order shall not draw interest after the day named in the notice, unless the treasurer fails to pay such order on presentation according to the terms of the notice. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 85.)
Subchapter 003: ORDERS DRAWN BY SELECTBOARD
§ 1621. Orders for land damages or damages for injuries
The selectboard may draw orders on the town treasurer for damages for lands or property taken or improved for a highway or other public use, or for damages settled by agreement or awarded for injuries sustained from the insufficiency of a highway.
§ 1622. Town orders; record
(a)(1) The chair of the selectboard shall keep or cause to be kept a single record of all orders drawn by the board showing the number, date, to whom payable, for what purpose, and the amount of each such order.
(2) All other officers authorized by law to draw orders upon the town treasurer shall keep a like record.
(b) Such records shall be submitted to the town auditors annually on or before February 1.
(c) If the records of orders named in this section are made by an assistant clerk, the assistant clerk shall not be the town treasurer, or the wife or husband of such town treasurer, or any person acting in the capacity of clerk for the town treasurer.
§ 1623. Signing orders
(1) Authorize one or more members of the board to examine and allow claims against the town for town expenses and draw orders for such claims to the party entitled to payment. Orders shall state definitely the purpose for which they are drawn and shall serve as full authority to the treasurer to make the payments. The selectboard shall be provided with a record of orders drawn under this subdivision whenever orders are signed by less than a majority of the board; or
(2) Submit to the town treasurer a certified copy of those portions of the selectboard minutes, properly signed by the clerk and chair or by a majority of the board, showing to whom and for what purpose each payment is to be made by the treasurer. The certified copy of the minutes shall serve as full authority to the treasurer to make the approved payments. (Added 1995, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Subchapter 004: ACCOUNTS OF OVERSEER OF POOR
§ 1651. Repealed. 1967, No. 147, § 53(b), eff. Oct. 1, 1968.
§ 1652. Records of overseers of the poor
Effective October 1, 1968, the office of overseer of the poor is abolished. On that day or as soon thereafter as possible the overseer of the poor shall turn all records of the office over to the town clerk of his or her town, who shall thereafter keep them until authorized by law to dispose of them. (Added 1967, No. 147, § 37, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)
Subchapter 005: AUDITORS AND AUDITS
(a)(1) Town auditors shall meet at least 25 days before each annual town meeting to examine and adjust the accounts of all town officers and all other persons authorized by law to draw orders on the town treasurer.
(2) Such auditing shall include the account that the treasurer is required to keep with the collector, the tax accounts of the collector, trust accounts where the town or any town officer, as such officer, is trustee or where the town is sole beneficiary, accounts relating to the town indebtedness, and accounts of any special funds in the care of any town official.
(b) Notice of such meeting shall be given by posting or publication ten days in advance of such meeting. (Amended 1991, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1997, No. 83 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.; 2011, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. July 1, 2013.)
(a)(1) The auditors shall report their findings in writing and cause the same to be mailed or otherwise distributed to the voters of the town at least ten days before the annual meeting.
(2) At a duly warned annual or special meeting, the voters of the town may vote to provide notice of the availability of the auditors' report to the voters of the town in lieu of mailing or otherwise distributing the report itself. If the voters of the town vote to provide notice of availability, they must specify how notice of availability shall be given, and such notice of availability shall be provided to the voters of the town at least 30 days before the annual meeting.
(3) Upon request, the auditors shall mail or distribute a copy of the full report to a voter or resident of the town.
(4) When the auditors mail or distribute the report or provide notice of the availability of the report to the voters of the town, they shall at the same time deliver to the town clerk the copies required by section 1173 of this title and shall place all surplus copies in the custody of the town clerk before the first Tuesday in March.
(5) As used in this subsection, the term "resident" shall be defined as the term is defined in 17 V.S.A. § 2122(b).
(b) If a town has voted to eliminate the office of auditor, the findings of the public accountant employed in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2651b shall be mailed or otherwise distributed by the selectboard in the same manner that findings are required to be distributed by auditors. (Amended 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 119; 1997, No. 83 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2003, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2005; 2015, No. 30, § 38, eff. May 26, 2015.)
§ 1684. Trust assets; indebtedness
The auditors shall make a detailed statement showing:
(1) The condition of all trust funds in which the town is interested with a list of the assets of such funds including the account of receipts and disbursements for the preceding year;
(2) What bonds of the town or town school district are outstanding with the rate of interest and the amount thereof;
(3) What interest bearing notes or orders of the town or town school district are outstanding with the serial number, date, amount, payee, rate of interest of each, and the total amount thereof.
§ 1685. Subchapter application to villages
Sections 1681-1684 of this subchapter shall apply to all incorporated villages. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 86.)
(c)(1) If, after at least five business days following his or her receipt by certified mail of a written request by the auditors or public accountant that is approved and signed by the legislative body, a town officer willfully refuses or neglects to submit his or her books, accounts, vouchers, or tax bills to the auditors or the public accountant, or to furnish all necessary information in relation thereto, that town officer shall be ineligible to reelection for the year ensuing and be subject to the penalties otherwise prescribed by law.
(2) A town officer who violates subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) shall be personally liable to the town for a civil penalty in the amount of $100.00 per day until he or she submits or furnishes the requested materials or information. A town may bring an action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court to enforce this subdivision.
(d) As used in this section, the term "town officer" shall not include an officer subject to the provisions of 16 V.S.A. § 323. (Amended 1997, No. 83 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2011, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. July 1, 2013; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 28; 2017, No. 27, § 4, eff. May 10, 2017.)
§ 1687. Notice of orders
A bank, trust company, or individual in this State holding orders or other evidences of indebtedness of a municipal corporation shall annually, on or before January 5, send written notice to the chair of the board of auditors of such corporation, stating the amount of such orders or other evidences of indebtedness and the balance due thereon as of December 31 next preceding, unless the holder of any such indebtedness is requested by such auditor to send such notice at some other date to conform to the fiscal year of such municipality.
§ 1688. Notice of deposits
A bank or trust company in this State having on deposit funds of a municipal corporation shall annually, on or before January 5, send written notice to the chair of the board of auditors of such corporation, stating the balance on deposit to the credit of such corporation on December 31 next preceding, unless the holder of such funds is requested by such auditor to send such notice at some other date to conform to the fiscal year of such municipality.
§ 1689. Penalty for failure to send notice
A bank, trust company, or individual who violates a provision of section 1687 or 1688 of this subchapter shall be fined not less than $10.00 nor more than $25.00. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 87.)
§ 1690. Certified or public accountant to audit town accounts; warning; form
(a) The legislative body of a city, town, or incorporated village may upon its own motion contract with a public accountant, licensed in this State, to perform an annual financial audit of all funds of the town; or upon petition in writing of legal voters equal to five percent of the legal voters of the town or village, the legislative body shall insert in the warning for any annual meeting, or in the warning for a special meeting, which shall be called upon such petition, an article in substantially the following form:
"To see if the [city, town, or village] will vote to instruct the [legislative body] to employ a certified public accountant or public accountant licensed in this State, to perform an annual financial audit of all funds of the [city, town, or village]."
(b) Audits performed by a public accountant under this section shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, including the issuance of a report on internal control over financial reporting that shall be provided to recipients of the financial statements. When there are material weaknesses or significant deficiencies found in the internal control over financial reporting or the auditor's or public accountant's opinion is qualified, adverse, or disclaimed:
(1) the auditor or public accountant shall present the findings or opinion to the legislative body of the town and explain those material weaknesses or significant deficiencies or his or her opinion at a meeting duly warned for the purpose;
(2) after the audit report is delivered to the legislative body of a municipality, the notice for the next meeting of the legislative body shall also notify the voters of the availability of the audit report and the accompanying report on internal control over financial reporting;
(3) the next published annual report of the town shall include a summary of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies found in the internal controls over financial reporting or a statement that the audit report sets forth an opinion that is qualified, adverse, or disclaimed; and
(4) the legislative body shall post the audit report and the accompanying report on internal control over financial reporting on the municipality's website, if the municipality has a website. (Amended 1985, No. 196 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 2009, No. 95 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
§ 1691. Terms of employment
At an annual or special meeting warned as provided in section 1690 of this title, a town or incorporated village may authorize the employment of a certified public accountant or a public accountant and fix the terms of such employment. Nothing herein shall be construed to relieve a town or incorporated village of the duty to elect town or village auditors as provided by law.
§§ 1692-1695. Repealed. 1967, No. 91, § 4.
§ 1696. Repealed. 1969, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 27, 1970.
§ 1697. Repealed. 1967, No. 91, § 4.