Androscoggin County Tax Rate Drops as Property Valuations Rise

Municipalities will see higher tax assessments despite 1-cent decrease in county tax rate

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Androscoggin County commissioners have set the 2026 county tax rate at $1.04 per $1,000 of property valuation, a 1-cent decrease from the previous year. However, municipalities in the county will still see higher tax assessments due to rising property valuations, with the largest increases in Lewiston and Auburn.

Why it matters

The county tax rate and property valuations directly impact the amount municipalities must pay in county taxes, which can affect local budgets and services. This shift highlights the complex relationship between tax rates, property values, and municipal finances in the region.

The details

To cover its $23.7 million spending package for 2026, plus a $283,175 overlay for potential abatement requests, the county had to raise $17.4 million through the county tax assessment. Despite the 1-cent decrease in the tax rate, Lewiston saw its state valuation increase by nearly $1 million to $5.1 billion, resulting in a county tax assessment increase of about $903,554. Auburn's valuation increased by $328 million to nearly $3.6 billion, leading to a county tax assessment of nearly $3.7 million.

  • The county tax rate was set on Wednesday, March 9, 2026.
  • Tax bills will be sent to municipalities later this month (March 2026).
  • Tax reminders will be sent in July or August 2026.
  • Taxes are due on September 1, 2026, with interest charged beginning November 1, 2026.

The players

Clarice Proctor

Androscoggin County Treasurer.

Lewiston

The city of Lewiston, which saw the highest increase in state valuation and county tax assessment.

Auburn

The city of Auburn, which saw a significant increase in state valuation and county tax assessment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Tax bills will be sent to municipalities later this month, and reminders will be sent in July or August. Taxes are due on September 1, 2026, with interest charged beginning November 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The decrease in the Androscoggin County tax rate does not necessarily translate to lower tax bills for municipalities, as rising property valuations have led to higher county tax assessments. This highlights the complex interplay between tax rates, property values, and municipal finances in the region.