The Ellsworth Finance Department is responsible for collection of real estate and personal property taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes, and other accounts receivable as well as maintaining the City’s investments, reserve funds, grant funds, and project financing.
- Meet Us
- Services
- BAN/Bond
- FAQs
- Contact

Chris Nemeth
Chief Financial Officer
- cnemeth@ellsworthmaine.gov
- 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605

Ashlie Brown
Deputy Finance Director
- abrown@ellsworthmaine.gov
- (207) 669-6602
- 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605

Lea Cagulada-Pierce
Deputy Treasurer
- lcagulada-pierce@ellsworthmaine.gov
- 669-6634
- 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605

Debra Worden
Deputy Treasurer
- dworden@ellsworthmaine.gov
- 207-667-2563
- 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Real estate and personal property tax collection
Motor vehicle registration
Sewer and water billing & collection
Solid waste billings
Septage billing
What is the difference between a bond and a bond anticipation note (BAN)?
- BAN: Serves as short-term financing. It’s used to cover immediate expenses for a project until the issuer can sell long-term bonds or secure another funding source.
- Bond: Provides long-term financing for projects or expenses, often with a fixed repayment schedule spanning several years or decades.
How do these forms of financing help municipalities with projects?
- BAN: Helps municipalities start a project quickly or bridge a funding gap while preparing for a bond issuance.
- Bond: Used to finance the full cost of large-scale projects like infrastructure improvements, schools, or public facilities.
The City of Ellsworth has utilized bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) to finance large projects without placing the entire financial burden on a single fiscal year. By spreading debt repayment over several years or specific terms, the city minimizes the impact on the tax rate.
In the November 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council vote to approve the City Manager’s plan to move forward with a BAN proposal, with clarifications. Below is the BAN Book that was presented to City Council. You can watch the council’s discussion here.
2024 BAN Book
When are property taxes due?
The exact dates vary each year but are always approximately during the second week of September and the second week of March. The exact date is found on your tax bill. You can look up your tax bill via our Online Services page.
Where do I send my property tax payment?
Property tax payments can be mailed to 1 City Hall Plaza. Checks should be made payable to City of Ellsworth.
How much did I pay in property taxes last year?
You can obtain a copy of your prior year tax bills through the Online Services page or you can contact our office at 207-669-6620.
How Do I pay my Property Taxes?
It is important to know when taxes are due. The exact dates vary each year but are always approximately during the second week of September and the second week of March. The exact date is found on your tax bill. You can look up your tax bill on our Online Services page.
Your payments can be mailed to 1 City Hall Plaza. Checks should be made payable to City of Ellsworth.
The City accepts both debit and credit cards. Debit cards can only be processed in person, and credit cards can be processed in person or over the phone. The City uses Maine PayPort, a credit card processing service, and there is an additional 2.5% charge ($1.00 minimum) to use a credit card.
You can also pay your taxes by going to the Online Services page.
You may need your Property Tax Bill from last year. You can obtain a copy of your prior year tax bills through the Online Services page. Or contact our office for this information.
How do I find out how much my Excise Tax will be?
You can get an estimate of the amount of your excise tax using our Excise Tax Calculator.
What is excise tax?
Excise Tax is an annual tax that must be paid prior to registering your vehicle. Except for a few statutory exemptions, all vehicles registered in the State of Maine are subject to the Excise Tax.
Excise Tax is defined by State Statute as a tax levied annually for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways. Excise Tax is paid at the local municipal office where the owner of the vehicle resides. The municipality that collects the excise tax can use it as revenue towards the annual municipal budget. Typically, the revenue is spent on local road maintenance, construction and repair.The amount of tax is determined by two things: 1.) The age of the vehicle and 2.) MSRP (manufactured suggested retail price). Excise Tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mil rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year. Step Mil Rate
Year 1 .0240
Year 2 .0175
Year 3 .0135
Year 4 .0100
Year 5 .0065
Year 6 .0040For example, a 3 year old car with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25 in excise tax. To get an estimate of your Excise Tax use our Excise Tax Calculator.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a financial responsibility form that needs to be completed if you have ever been stopped for a traffic violation and did not have vehicle insurance. You would be notified by the State of Maine if this form was required to be completed.
Can I have my insurance card faxed to city hall?
Yes – our fax number is 207-667-4908
Does the city accept debit or credit cards?
Yes, the City accepts both debit and credit cards. The City uses Maine PayPort, a credit card / debit card processing service, there is an additional 2.5% charge to use a credit or debit card. There are no additional fees for paying with cash or checks.
What are the City Hall office hours?
Ellsworth City Hall office hours are Monday through Thursday 7 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Ellsworth City Hall is closed for the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October)
- Veterans’ Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas (December 25)
If a recognized holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed (City Hall will be closed) on the following Monday.
If a recognized holiday falls on a Friday, the holiday will be observed (City Hall will be closed) on the preceding Thursday.
