Important Town Meeting (Deliberative Session)
- Citizens For Wolfeboro
- Jan 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Tuesday, February 6
(Snow Date: Thursday, February 8)
7:00pm – Wolfeboro Town Hall
Learn how your tax dollars are being budgeted and spent
Debate and amend
Ask questions prior to the March 12 town election
Overview of the Warrant Articles can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8retKuptqMg
* In NH, a “Deliberative Session” is the chance for voters to ask questions, debate, or make changes to articles on the warrant before the voting in March. At the deliberative session, the warrant is finalized by you and sent on to the March elections.
1. Estimated proposed Full Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget as approved by the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen:
$34,419,415 - A 10% increase over the FY 2023 approved budget.
2. Estimated Total Cost of 2024 Warrant Articles (WA):
$37,991,097 – This is the cost if all WA are approved by the voters. These
are “wants and needs” that are not included in the 2024 Operating
Budget and, if voted in, may have an impact on tax rates.
3. If the proposed FY 2024 budget isn’t approved by the voters, it defaults back to the FY 2024 Default Operating Budget*:
$33,300,799.
4. Full explanation of errors made by the Town using the Unassigned Fund Balance:
n_in_using_its_unassigned_fund_balance.pdf
*”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
Be there. Be heard.
