The state of Vermont is planning to help communities across the state pay for unmet repair bills for damage from Tropical Storm Irene.
Even after state and federal disaster assistance is taken into account, many Vermont communities are facing huge local repair bills.
So the state is planning to pay town expenses for any costs that would lead to more than a 3 cent increase in local tax rates.
The Finance Department estimates the move will cost the state between $1.5 million and $5 million.
The Burlington Free Press says one of the hardest hit towns is Jamaica, which faces almost $5.5 million in flood repair costs. The town’s annual budget is about $2 million.
The state’s plan would reduce Jamaica’s expenses by about $475,000.