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Warrant Article 9: FY 2025 Operating Budget

  • Writer: Citizens For Wolfeboro
    Citizens For Wolfeboro
  • Feb 16
  • 3 min read

1. Estimated proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Operating Budget as of February 6, 2025:

 

  • $35,707,841 - A 6% increase over the FY 2024 approved default budget of $33,650.063. 

  • The estimated 2025 tax rate:  $7.65 per $1000 of Assessed Valuation (an increase of 13.57% over the 2024 tax rate:  $6.73 per $1000 

  • The town had $721,070.84 in unspent funds when the books were closed in 2024 under the default operating budget of $33,650.063. 

 

2. Estimated Total Cost of Proposed 2025 Warrant Articles (WA):

 

  • $5,867,198 – This is the cost if ALL WAs are approved by the voters. These are “wants and needs” that are not included in the 2025 Operating Budget and, if voted in, will have an impact on the tax rate. 

 

3. If the proposed FY 2025 Operating Budget is not approved by voters, it defaults back to the FY 2024 Default Operating Budget*: 

 

  • $33,650,063

 

4. If the proposed 2025 Operating Budget and all monetary WAs are approved by voters, the Total 2025 budget will be:


  • $41,575,039


5. If the approved 2025 Operating Budget is defeated but all WAs are approved by voters: 


  • $39,517,261 – This includes the default budget and all monetary WAs. 

 


Warrant Article 9 – Proposed 2025 Operating Budget, including changes made at the 2/6/25 Deliberative Session. Note: The ballot has not yet been finalized.  

 

Shall the Town raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by the vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein totaling $35,707,841. Should this article be defeated the operating budget shall be $33,650,063, which is the same as last year’s operating budget, with certain adjustment required by previous action of the Town or by law, or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. 


 

Estimated Tax Rate Impact:  2025 $7.65 per $1000 of Assessed Valuation

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen by a vote of 5-0

Recommended by the Budget Committee by a vote of 8-2 

 

*The reason that SB2 towns (like Wolfeboro) need to calculate a “default budget” is because the town meeting decides whether to adopt the town officials’ recommended budget via a ballot vote, rather than by debate at town meeting. 

 

If the majority of town voters say “no,” the town still needs money to operate. The law that creates default budgets, RSA 40:13, IX(b), is a compromise. It relies on the budget that passed last year as the basis for calculation of the default budget, but some adjustments need to be made due to contracts that may extend beyond one year (i.e. propane, internet and cable services, bulk purchases like road salt, or a one-time large acquisition such as a fire truck, etc.).”  – NH Municipal Association


 

PLEASE NOTE: 


Citizens for Wolfeboro tracks and attends Select Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Budget Committee, Technical Review Board, and other meetings. The points made above are for fellow voters’ consideration. 


  • To view the Proposed 2025 Operating Budget:



  • To view the 2025 Default Budget:


 

  • To view the complete list of Warrant Articles and amendments visit: 


• Referring to past meetings, especially Board of Selectmen, Budget Committee, Planning Committee, and more via Wolfeboro Community Television on YouTube will enhance voter understanding. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5N_32r0_-c2UU1e_wUOfqw


• Reaching out to Town and elected officials is always advisable. These considerations are designed to prompt voter consideration and questions of the Town and are only guidance. All voters are encouraged to do their own research. 

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