The Town Council and Budget Committee discussed a possible property tax increase of 17.5 to 25% at the 11/13/2024 meeting. A few things to note. After years of sitting through budget meetings this year seams different. There appears to be little direction from the Town Council as there has been in years past. Councilor Farrell is blaming the form of government in Londonderry SB2 for the possible increases that are now being presented. It should also be noted that Councilor Farrell did not participate in the entire discussion. Farrell left the meeting for an extended period of time, at one point briefly returning to direct a town employee into the hall for a side bar discussion. A no point did Councilor Farrell inform other councilors what the subject of these side-bar conversations entailed.
The video below starts at the later in the meeting detailing the 17.5 to 25% increase, please rewind to the beginning for full discussion and context.
Budget Presentation that was reviewed by the Town Council is below. This file was updated from what was presented on 11/12/2024 to correct a minor typo and explanation from the Justin Campo Finance Director:
Attached you will find a PDF of the PowerPoint presented last night with the two edits I discussed below. Thank you for allowing these changes to be made, as it provides more accurate information.
I will note that on the second to last page (Total Costs Per Additional Requests) in the Library portion, it covers the general concept of what would be requested and what Erin discussed. That being said, I feel it is important to point out that as Erin discussed last night it would require discussion and final determination from the Library Trustees. Due to the Trustees meeting schedule in comparison to the Budget Workshop meeting schedule, they have not had an opportunity to have that discussion.