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Lori Day lives in East Machias.
Washington County is in the middle of a financial crisis unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. When voters rejected the proposed county bond in November, it wasn’t just a theoretical budget issue; it created an immediate, practical problem. The county now has to repay an estimated $8 million in short-term debt by Dec. 31, without the long-term refinancing tool that most counties routinely use.
The implications for all of us are very real. If Washington County can’t make that payment on time, it will need to borrow again at higher interest, cut essential services or push the entire shortfall directly into the next budget cycle. And that means a steep increase in property taxes next year, especially for towns like East Machias that already operate on tight margins.
Given these circumstances, county officials have asked towns to pay their 2026 county assessment as early as possible. Towns, in turn, can only do that if individual residents pay their property taxes early. This isn’t something most people can do — nor should anyone feel guilty if paying early isn’t feasible. Washington County has a low median income, many fixed-income households and a lot of people who simply cannot shoulder an off-schedule tax bill.
But here’s the truth we need to speak plainly: For those who can afford to pay early, doing so will help stabilize our county at a critical moment.
Early payments don’t change your tax bill. They don’t increase what you owe. They simply help the town maintain cash flow so it doesn’t have to dip into reserves or take out a short-term loan just to pay the county’s bill. When towns pay the county early, the county can immediately reduce the balance on its tax anticipation note — lowering interest, avoiding penalties and reducing the burden that will otherwise land on all of us next year.
Small towns like ours don’t have deep pockets. A handful of early payments from residents with higher assessments could provide tens of thousands of dollars in immediate relief. That’s real money, flowing at the exact moment the county needs it most. In a county with a limited tax base, those early dollars make a meaningful difference.
This is a moment that calls for neighbors looking out for neighbors. We’re not just taxpayers — we’re a community with shared interests and shared challenges. Washington County has weathered storms before, from mill closures to devastating floods. We’ve always gotten through by pulling together. This is one of those moments.
Paying early is not the solution to Washington County’s long-term financial problems. We still need transparency, better planning and a public conversation about sustainable county budgeting. But early payments can help us prevent this crisis from escalating into something worse — higher taxes, cuts to essential services and long-term damage to the county’s financial standing.
If you can pay your taxes early this year, please consider doing so. And if you can’t, know that your neighbors who are able will be helping to keep our county stable for all of us.
Washington County belongs to everyone who calls this place home. Let’s steady the ship together.
