Stoddard Select Board unveils $1.998 million budget proposal, warns of higher tax rate

The Stoddard Select Board on March 30 presented a proposed $1,998,001 budget for fiscal year 2026–27 that the town administrator said represents a 7.84% increase over the prior year and corresponds to an estimated municipal tax rate of $3.08.

Town Administrator Michelle Pong said the apparent jump in the tax rate reflects both the proposed budget and differences in how the previous year’s rate was reduced by returning $243,000 from the unassigned fund balance to taxpayers; the board has not yet decided whether to apply unassigned funds this year to lower the rate.

The proposal increases expense lines for general municipal operations ($590,967) to cover expanded office hours, salary increases and a new special-projects position, while payroll for assessing falls because the town’s revaluation work is complete. The Town Clerk/Tax Collector budget increases (to $118,400) for salaries and required software upgrades. The Planning Board budget ($19,269) grows primarily to pay for professional services to update the Master Plan, which dates to 2005.

Michelle Pong reviewed other notable items: an $11,000 increase in dispatch costs that has been added to the budget after Southwest Mutual Aid changed billing; a $115,500 police-services line that reflects a sheriff contract for 30 hours of weekly coverage (the town is not billed for hours not provided); and a highway budget ($361,000) that adds funding for culvert work, road maintenance and an increased Road Agent salary intended to attract applicants.

The board also reviewed capital reserve funds, including a fire-vehicle reserve with a balance near $165,000 and a target replacement cost the board described as in excess of $500,000. The board proposed reducing the regular annual contribution to that reserve from $55,000 to $50,000. An article to buy a $9,000 fire- and water-resistant archive cabinet and an article for cemetery work (stones, maintenance, tree removal) were also presented.

During the public hearing residents questioned building permit fees and whether they cover Zoning Board of Adjustment costs; the Select Board clarified that permit fees are set by the Select Board and said it will review fee schedules after the budget season. Residents also asked for library-usage data to justify that department’s funding and raised concerns about leveraging tax dollars for charities; the board noted funding recommendations for health agencies relate to the town’s legal welfare obligations under state statute (NH RSA 165:1).

At the close of the hearing the board unanimously approved placing Articles 4 through 35 on the town warrant for town meeting and adjourned. The Select Board and town staff indicated next steps include supplying requested usage and demo data, consulting counsel about procedures for reconsideration of warrant articles, and finalizing whether to apply unassigned funds to temper the tax-rate impact before Town Meeting.