Operating Overrides & Debt Exclusions

An operating override is an action taken by the voters of a town to exceed the limit placed on tax revenue growth by the State tax limitation law known as Proposition 2 ½.  The tax levy limit can be exceeded only if a majority of residents voting approve an override.  This sum is then added to the base levy for the next fiscal year and thus becomes a permanent addition to the tax levy limit.

Two provisions within Proposition 2 ½ allow the citizens of a community by popular vote to authorize the Town to raise taxes above the tax levy limit:  an operating override or a debt exclusion.  The following table shows the history of overrides and debt exclusions in Lexington.