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Assessing budget rises modestly to cover contract assessor and revaluation reserve
Summary
Council heard assessing budget increases of approximately $21,000, driven by a contract-assessor fee increase and a $10,000 capital reserve deposit to prepare for a future revaluation; a small equipment line was also added given this year’s default budget context.
During the Jan. 8 budget review, assessing staff and finance explained limited changes to the assessing budget for fiscal year 2025–26.
Staff said other contractual services for assessing increased by $2,550 to cover the contract assessor’s proposed rate. The capital reserve fund line (assessing account 01028510) will increase by $10,000 to prepare for a revaluation the town expects to schedule in roughly a year. Staff described the total increase in assessing at about $21,000, with $12,000 attributable to the contract assessor and the capital reserve increase. A $3,000 equipment line (01028504) was included for computer equipment because the town was in a default budget this year and assessing had deferred some purchases.
Staff described typical equipment life cycles for field laptops as five to seven years and said the town IT unit maintains town laptops and desktops. Council members asked about laptop lifespan and departmental needs; staff answered that assessing field laptops tend to wear more quickly because they are used in vehicles.
No formal council action was taken on Jan. 8; staff will incorporate the adjustments into the overall proposed budget.
