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Board of Selectmen accepts preliminary tax rate, preserves unreserved fund balance
Summary
On Nov. 17 the Board of Selectmen unanimously accepted the preliminary tax rate presented by the State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue, approved a $15,000 overlay, and decided not to use the town's unreserved fund balance to reduce the town portion of the rate; staff were authorized to finish the DRA process and the board may sign the warrant on Nov. 24 if the final rate is ready.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Nov. 17 to accept the preliminary tax rate presented by the State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue and to retain the town's unreserved fund balance rather than use it to lower the town portion of the rate.
The action, taken at a 6:00 p.m. meeting at the Memorial Building, followed a review of the DRATax Rate Breakdown documents and discussion of the town and total rates. Board members said they were aware of higher-cost budget requests for 2026 and preferred to keep the reserve available to offset potential appropriations.
Steve Dzubak, chair, moved to accept the preliminary rate as presented by the DRA; Jen Roberts, a member of the board, seconded the motion. Both voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also approved an overlay amount of $15,000 to be included in the materials returned to the DRA so the agency can complete the final tax-rate process. The board authorized staff to continue the finalization steps with the DRA and approved a motion requiring the board to sign the warrant at its meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 if the final rate paperwork is ready.
Meeting minutes record that the board described the town portion of the rate as "under $3.00 per thousand of valuation" when discussing the potential effect of using reserve funds. The board declined to apply any of the unreserved fund balance toward that reduction and instead will retain the balance for possible budget needs in 2026.
Steve Dzubak noted an administrative need to find someone to be responsible for lowering and raising flags. The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m. Minutes were submitted by Janet Roberts. Once the DRA issues the final rate and the town is notified, tax bill preparations will continue.
