Tax rate set

The new tax rate is set for Derry $22.06 per $1000 of market value on your home. I was told during re-valuations that typically, 1/3 taxpayers will stay the same, 1/3 will pay less taxes and 1/3 will go up. Mine, of course went up $450 more. From 4200 to 4600 per year. 2 other councilors' tax rate actually went down. ( I can't catch a break) Now I know being in a big election year with three seats up for re-election, that we will start to see the always vocal always angry same people who complain about everything being very mad at the present council for the taxes we will have to pay in December, however for the rest of the taxpayers, I would like to point out that the town side portion of your tax bill went up 3.3%, School side 10% County went up 7%. Speaking of town side 80% of budget is personnel costs and costs associated with personnel such as Health care and retirement funds- Increases that we have to pay and let me tell you that those increases are more than our allowed tax cap inrease of 3.5%. It is not an easy task to balance town side budget. I will not speak for school side or county because I am not well versed in thier budgets. What I do know is that the council is the lightning rod for all the bad things that happen even though we always have the least amount of effecting the budget. I know it comes with the territory but someone needs to point to the facts. Also it's nice to know that we are the 3rd least taxed state in the country- We just get hit all at once and at the worst possible times- The Holidays. More on the tax rates in future write-ups.