Board of Tax and Land Appeals urges restoration of appraiser funding, proposes fee increases and venue flexibility for eminent domain hearings

The Board of Tax and Land Appeals told the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee on the record that it needs restored budget funding to fill a long-vacant review appraiser role, and offered fee changes and statutory tweaks to reduce costs and speed case resolution.

The board’s presentation, led by board member Eric Wind and Executive Director Anne Stelmack, focused on three options: the governor’s budget request that leaves one vacant position funded; a slimmed-down plan that would eliminate that position while increasing fees to raise revenue; and a willingness to discuss broader structural changes to the board’s mandate and jurisdiction if the Legislature pursues them in House Bill 2.

Stelmack told senators the board receives roughly 400 appeals a year and that its budget is 80% salary and benefits. “We used to be a staff of eight, and we are now a staff of three,” she said. She and Wind said the currently funded-but-vacant review appraiser position has been open about three years and that market salaries make hiring a licensed municipal appraiser difficult.

Why it matters: The board adjudicates property tax appeals, eminent domain matters and other specialized tax issues assigned in statute. Officials said losing a review appraiser reduces technical capacity for appraisal-heavy…