What do Franklin, Nashua, Dover and Derry have in common? Answer: A tax cap! And now a movement is picking up some steam to bring this tax cap to other communities. Derry has had its cap for awhile now and the debates continue on its effectiveness.
Our tax cap only effects the town side of your tax bill. Presently representing $7.50 of our $22.05 over all tax rate.
The tax rate consists of town side, school side, state, and county taxes. Only the town side is held under a tax cap which is tied into the CPI " consumer price index". Over the years, the average has been around 3% and meaning town side taxes may only increase by that CPI index or roughly 3% year.
Londonderry is now looking at bring one to their town and will look for a ballot question to ask its residents if they would install one in their town. Plenty of discussion to go around on pro's and cons.
Last week, I was asked to speak on New Hampshire Public Radio's Exchange program with Laura Noy on a live radio program on the subject.
If you would like to hear this program and my views on it here is a link to get there
http://www.nhpr.org/node/15988
***note Go to the listen icon on top and hit either window media or mp3 to listen to show*****
After listening to this debate , let me hear what you think about tax caps!!!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Legal Advise not heard costs $$$
Lets see if we can all follow some logic here for a moment. The Town of Derry has its own legal council who have been with this town for many years and with that comes a working knowledge and history which makes it a little bit easier than if we had to start with a new legal council for legal issues. Would you all agree?
Many times the issue comes up on the amount of dollars spent on legal issues and opinions and many times it comes up at the most political of times. Agree? The last two years especially.
Now when the town council decided to finally put to rest the McKinley/ Lake shore rd issue behind us- We find out that it will cost the taxpayers of this town many dollars. I am going to put behind the argument of whether or not it IS or ISN'T a public or private rd for now. The fact is that until last month, the town had these roads as private roads. No denying this fact.
The residents of this road to their credit came in front of this council for 2 years with their beliefs and opinions in hand and made their case that if they did not get their roads made public that a lawsuit would soon follow.
At last months meeting, when the vote came up to accept these roads as public, a question came up from new councilor Wetherbee. He asked legal council if we were approving the roads "as is" or according to the plot plan that was done long ago. The answer from Legal council? Plot plan according to RSA's. What happened? Four councilors voted to go against the advise of Legal council and voted as is.
The problem? Well I can tell you as the only councilor who has planning experience and as a realtor understand the ramifications of not heeding legal opinion and seeing first hand ( as all the councilors did as well) see the plot plan road was a lot longer than what actually is there. ( Meaning property owners have now officially encroached on town road). BIG BIG PROBLEM!
And now legal council ( knowing what a nightmare this could create) renders an opinion that the vote should be rescinded, then a survey should be done, then vote the right way to accept.
Did the councilors listen to legal council? Only three did. The other four voted to keep the things the way they are and NOT LISTEN TO LEGAL COUNCIL.
SO, today we paid for the legal councils first opinion, then because of a mistake of voting the first time ( Admitted by one of the councilors in public meeting) a second legal opinion to rescind cost the taxpayers and to add insult to injury, do not listen again and the topper of it all
Now the taxpayers will need to foot the $9000 bill to straighten out the survey.
The problem I brought up. It sets a bad precedent which will ultimately cost the taxpayers more money. The right way to do it you ask?
Wait until a survey was done on the road ( at a cost to the residents on that road. They were going to sue anyway remember. use that money to do the right thing) then come to vote on acceptance. It would of cost the taxpayers a hell of lot less money doing things the right way.
Cu dos to Councilor Wetherbee for catching on to the real issue early on. To bad the rest of the councilors did not listen.
Many times the issue comes up on the amount of dollars spent on legal issues and opinions and many times it comes up at the most political of times. Agree? The last two years especially.
Now when the town council decided to finally put to rest the McKinley/ Lake shore rd issue behind us- We find out that it will cost the taxpayers of this town many dollars. I am going to put behind the argument of whether or not it IS or ISN'T a public or private rd for now. The fact is that until last month, the town had these roads as private roads. No denying this fact.
The residents of this road to their credit came in front of this council for 2 years with their beliefs and opinions in hand and made their case that if they did not get their roads made public that a lawsuit would soon follow.
At last months meeting, when the vote came up to accept these roads as public, a question came up from new councilor Wetherbee. He asked legal council if we were approving the roads "as is" or according to the plot plan that was done long ago. The answer from Legal council? Plot plan according to RSA's. What happened? Four councilors voted to go against the advise of Legal council and voted as is.
The problem? Well I can tell you as the only councilor who has planning experience and as a realtor understand the ramifications of not heeding legal opinion and seeing first hand ( as all the councilors did as well) see the plot plan road was a lot longer than what actually is there. ( Meaning property owners have now officially encroached on town road). BIG BIG PROBLEM!
And now legal council ( knowing what a nightmare this could create) renders an opinion that the vote should be rescinded, then a survey should be done, then vote the right way to accept.
Did the councilors listen to legal council? Only three did. The other four voted to keep the things the way they are and NOT LISTEN TO LEGAL COUNCIL.
SO, today we paid for the legal councils first opinion, then because of a mistake of voting the first time ( Admitted by one of the councilors in public meeting) a second legal opinion to rescind cost the taxpayers and to add insult to injury, do not listen again and the topper of it all
Now the taxpayers will need to foot the $9000 bill to straighten out the survey.
The problem I brought up. It sets a bad precedent which will ultimately cost the taxpayers more money. The right way to do it you ask?
Wait until a survey was done on the road ( at a cost to the residents on that road. They were going to sue anyway remember. use that money to do the right thing) then come to vote on acceptance. It would of cost the taxpayers a hell of lot less money doing things the right way.
Cu dos to Councilor Wetherbee for catching on to the real issue early on. To bad the rest of the councilors did not listen.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Open Forum
What issue(s) are on your mind? With the budgets all finished for this year. What are those issues that need to be addressed or brought up for discussion?
We want to hear from you. SO look for the response box below and tell us your thoughts.
We want to hear from you. SO look for the response box below and tell us your thoughts.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Small town side increase
Another budget year mostly completed and it looks like town side taxes will be increased by .16 cents begining in July 09 budget.
Councilors spent the last two weeks reviewing the 09 budget line by line and came out with a budget that did not spend up to the tax cap. The allowed tax increase via town tax cap which is deterimed by the prevuious years CPI index would of allowed a .21 cents increase ( my previous post made .23 cents was incorrect) however the sitting councilors found savings of about $153,000 from the Administrators recommendations.
Items cut were: a vacant librarian position (Derry public Library)
$8000 in Health Dept's personnel line
A part time custodian position from Public works ( Funding of position)
And we had savings from insurance that helped lower the numbers.
Most important is that the majority of councilors allowed the police chief to hire two officers ( which were previuosly flagged for elimination or/ combo 1/2 elim with funding) However we recognized the fact that these are not 2 new positions but replaced postions with retiring officers.
Another good job by this council on a good budget process.
What do you think about budget process??? Share your thoughts!
Councilors spent the last two weeks reviewing the 09 budget line by line and came out with a budget that did not spend up to the tax cap. The allowed tax increase via town tax cap which is deterimed by the prevuious years CPI index would of allowed a .21 cents increase ( my previous post made .23 cents was incorrect) however the sitting councilors found savings of about $153,000 from the Administrators recommendations.
Items cut were: a vacant librarian position (Derry public Library)
$8000 in Health Dept's personnel line
A part time custodian position from Public works ( Funding of position)
And we had savings from insurance that helped lower the numbers.
Most important is that the majority of councilors allowed the police chief to hire two officers ( which were previuosly flagged for elimination or/ combo 1/2 elim with funding) However we recognized the fact that these are not 2 new positions but replaced postions with retiring officers.
Another good job by this council on a good budget process.
What do you think about budget process??? Share your thoughts!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Here's your chance!
Next Tuesday night at 7pm is your chance to come to the public hearing on the towns budget. Its usually not that well attended in prior years and we always hear of complaints during the year about our taxes.
Keep in mind that we councilors only control the towns side of taxes which at this time represents $7.50 of your $22.05 per 1000 tax bills.
1 out of every 3 dollars you send in for property taxes goes to town side services such as police protection, fire protection, snow plowing and grounds maintenance, capital projects, recreation.
library's ( and I'm sure I'm leaving something off this list)
Now is the time to come to Tues nights meeting 4/22 at town hall to speak your mind!
Hope to see many faces at this meeting!!!
Keep in mind that we councilors only control the towns side of taxes which at this time represents $7.50 of your $22.05 per 1000 tax bills.
1 out of every 3 dollars you send in for property taxes goes to town side services such as police protection, fire protection, snow plowing and grounds maintenance, capital projects, recreation.
library's ( and I'm sure I'm leaving something off this list)
Now is the time to come to Tues nights meeting 4/22 at town hall to speak your mind!
Hope to see many faces at this meeting!!!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Twenty three cents
Twenty three cents is the amount allowable under our tax cap here in Derry on town side budget items. The tax cap which is determined by the previous years CPI index this year came in at 2.8%. Meaning that town side spending this year has a maximum allowed increase of .23 cents.
What this tax cap does is to keep town side taxes from run away spending and forces the councilors, dept heads and administrator to prioritize projects. We cannot do everything all at once.
Over the last few years, with health care increases in the double digits percentage wise, cost of living increases, step raises and retirement costs going up every year- the town is put into a corner eventually by pitting employee costs vs infrastructure improvements and this is where councilors jobs get tougher each year. However, because at some point the allowable increases on future budgets will "force" the hand of the town to make serious employee cuts ( if we don't bring in more tax revenues from our depts and from economic development the matter can be worse). It is thought that next years "2010" budget we will begin to see these issues.
Some people are not worried about possible lay-off or reduction in staff and some believe it will benefit the community. I look at it this way. You will still see increases in the town side budget however you will be getting "less bang for your dollar". What do I mean by this? Less workers will have to do more work for the same coverage. You say whats wrong with that? Overtime budgets! Don't they get trimmed back too. Eventually yes! and then what? Services will begin to be effected in a negative way.
Some are pointing the finger at this council to not spend an additional penny of the 23 allowed. You do the math. 23 Million dollar budget with no increase this year however we pay the increases in health care, COLA's gasoline, oil and all other costs that have gone up in price and then next year the CPI will more than likely be under 3%. You can see this would create an even more dramatic cutting of personnel and services.
The tax cap was created to be a fixed budget to work with each year. It forces us to make priority decisions. hard decisions which is a good thing
However, we can't be irresponsible. Not this does not mean we need to increase right up to the cap however the folks that think not spending an additional penny should look at the facts a little bit harder.
What this tax cap does is to keep town side taxes from run away spending and forces the councilors, dept heads and administrator to prioritize projects. We cannot do everything all at once.
Over the last few years, with health care increases in the double digits percentage wise, cost of living increases, step raises and retirement costs going up every year- the town is put into a corner eventually by pitting employee costs vs infrastructure improvements and this is where councilors jobs get tougher each year. However, because at some point the allowable increases on future budgets will "force" the hand of the town to make serious employee cuts ( if we don't bring in more tax revenues from our depts and from economic development the matter can be worse). It is thought that next years "2010" budget we will begin to see these issues.
Some people are not worried about possible lay-off or reduction in staff and some believe it will benefit the community. I look at it this way. You will still see increases in the town side budget however you will be getting "less bang for your dollar". What do I mean by this? Less workers will have to do more work for the same coverage. You say whats wrong with that? Overtime budgets! Don't they get trimmed back too. Eventually yes! and then what? Services will begin to be effected in a negative way.
Some are pointing the finger at this council to not spend an additional penny of the 23 allowed. You do the math. 23 Million dollar budget with no increase this year however we pay the increases in health care, COLA's gasoline, oil and all other costs that have gone up in price and then next year the CPI will more than likely be under 3%. You can see this would create an even more dramatic cutting of personnel and services.
The tax cap was created to be a fixed budget to work with each year. It forces us to make priority decisions. hard decisions which is a good thing
However, we can't be irresponsible. Not this does not mean we need to increase right up to the cap however the folks that think not spending an additional penny should look at the facts a little bit harder.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Back to the budget drawing boards
Budget time started as I returned from my vacation ( 90's all week and sunny) returning to Boston weather at 38 degrees was a shock to old system.
I decided to get an update as to the council meeting I missed and the first budget meeting. I spoke to only a few people so far and they tell me it has been quite an interesting meeting. The N.N. reported that there were a few eyebrows raised when council choose board members this time around. You remember that I tried to re-shedule that meeting so that I as a sitting councilor would have a say, however the rest of the council choose to keep it that day without me being present.
In the days when I was first elected, it was protocol to give full membership to an alternate member who showed that they "paid their dues" and came to each meeting, participated, and went to educational classes to learn the process. Sadly, today we have a political way of picking regular members with no or little expertise and knowledge and this sets a very bad message to the very businesses that will come to town and get "cherry picked" when certain groups either like a business or not.
Very very dangerous for the town of Derry! Mark my words here and now. The taxpayers will pay dearly. I hope someone will prove me wrong, but time will tell. And what message does this send to the very people who sacrifice time and their own money learning these new laws to learn that they could be gone the next time around because councilors consider them "friendly" or "unfriendly"- sad but true!
Now budgets- My understanding right now is that KC wants $75,000 cut from the personnel line of the police budget. He says that next year they will have to lay-off anyways. If this is true and I'll have to verify, Then I want to make this statement. Cutting Police officers when we have not hired any new additional officers in 4 years and when the City of Manchester is hiring 25-30 police officers is wrong! These police officers in my book are far to important for our safety and well being and quite frankly, I would cut from other parts of a budget and my safety personnel are the very last people to get cut.
Remember, we must ask ourselves these questions. Is it a need or a want.
we have far to many "wants" in this town and not a lot of "needs" or must haves- policeman and women are definite needs, especially in the 4Th largest community in New Hampshire.
What are your thoughts
I decided to get an update as to the council meeting I missed and the first budget meeting. I spoke to only a few people so far and they tell me it has been quite an interesting meeting. The N.N. reported that there were a few eyebrows raised when council choose board members this time around. You remember that I tried to re-shedule that meeting so that I as a sitting councilor would have a say, however the rest of the council choose to keep it that day without me being present.
In the days when I was first elected, it was protocol to give full membership to an alternate member who showed that they "paid their dues" and came to each meeting, participated, and went to educational classes to learn the process. Sadly, today we have a political way of picking regular members with no or little expertise and knowledge and this sets a very bad message to the very businesses that will come to town and get "cherry picked" when certain groups either like a business or not.
Very very dangerous for the town of Derry! Mark my words here and now. The taxpayers will pay dearly. I hope someone will prove me wrong, but time will tell. And what message does this send to the very people who sacrifice time and their own money learning these new laws to learn that they could be gone the next time around because councilors consider them "friendly" or "unfriendly"- sad but true!
Now budgets- My understanding right now is that KC wants $75,000 cut from the personnel line of the police budget. He says that next year they will have to lay-off anyways. If this is true and I'll have to verify, Then I want to make this statement. Cutting Police officers when we have not hired any new additional officers in 4 years and when the City of Manchester is hiring 25-30 police officers is wrong! These police officers in my book are far to important for our safety and well being and quite frankly, I would cut from other parts of a budget and my safety personnel are the very last people to get cut.
Remember, we must ask ourselves these questions. Is it a need or a want.
we have far to many "wants" in this town and not a lot of "needs" or must haves- policeman and women are definite needs, especially in the 4Th largest community in New Hampshire.
What are your thoughts
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
