Strafford County approves proposed budget 2-1 amid warnings over fund balance and staffing

The Strafford County Commissioners approved the county’s proposed budget by a 2-1 vote after an extended debate over revenue, staffing and the county’s fund balance.

Commissioner 1 (chair) said the proposed document sent to municipalities shows a 4% increase in the “amount to be raised by taxes,” and clarified that does not necessarily translate into a 4% increase for every property owner. He said assessments and tax-rate calculations vary by municipality and cited recent growth that has increased the county’s valuation base.

Commissioner 1 framed the vote as necessary to meet statutory deadlines for submitting the budget to municipalities and described the current fiscal picture as constrained: he said the county’s fund balance was roughly $2.5 million at the end of 2023 and described the county’s target reserve requirement as 8–13 percent (a requirement he said the county was not…