What it means: The voters are presented with two possible operating budgets. The Proposed Operating budget is what the Town departments feel they need to manage the Town efficiently, safely and effectively. The Default Budget is a calculated budget defined by RSAs (New Hampshire state legislature) which specify certain costs that must be covered in the Town’s Budget.
Both budgets for 2024 reflect cost of Warrant Articles approved at prior Town Elections.
The Proposed Operating Budget represents a 5% increase over the 2023 adopted budget, and a 4% increase over the Default Budget. Much of the increase in the Proposed Operating Budget over the 2023 adopted budget can be attributed to the Police Department seeing year-round needs for staff (part-time staff being far less available region-wide); staffing to provide increased attention to speeding per requests from residents; and funds being spent on outside agencies, now that Covid grants have expired. Other increases incorporated into the Proposed Operating Budget cover new equipment; increased utility costs; and upfront costs for new software to help manage the Town more effectively and efficiently.
The Default Budget represents a 1% increase over the 2023 adopted budget. A default budget is regulated by RSA 40:13 and starts with the prior year’s approved budget, and is increased by obligations mandated by law; debt service and contracts lawfully entered into; and is reduced by one-time expenditures, salaries and benefits related to positions that may have been eliminated. The Default Budget will be the operating budget for the Town in the event the Proposed Operating Budget fails to pass.
Those in favor say: The Budget Committee met and worked with each Town department to review the needs (and not wants) of each department. Each line item of the budget was thoroughly reviewed four times (by the Department Heads, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and the Budget Committee). Those in favor said it is a fair budget that provides what the community needs and has asked for. It was also noted that there are costs in the Proposed Operating Budget that prevent more costly repairs or expenditures down the road.
Those opposed say: It was expressed that taxpayers are already impacted by rising costs and are looking to cut costs. Those opposed asked taxpayers to realize the impact their votes have on tax bills.
Fiscal impact: The Proposed Operating Budget impact is $0.433 per $1,000 valuation. The Default Budget impact is $0.089 per $1,000 valuation. For a home valued at $400,000 this means that the Proposed Operating Budget will cost $173.20 more than last year in annual property taxes and the Default Budget will cost $35.60 more than last year, or a difference of $137.60. The number to use if you are calculating for your own property would be the difference between the two or .344 per thousand dollars of property valuation.