The Hudson Budget Committee met on Nov. 17 to review the potential tax impact of the proposed town budget following adjustments to alternative revenue sources and an announcement from the Department of Revenue Administration that Hudson’s 2024 tax rate will be $17.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value, up from $16.45 per $1,000 last year.
“What we’re proposing without the warrant articles is an eight-cent increase per thousand,” said Committee member Shawn Jasper while reviewing figures with Town Administrator Roy Sorenson.
Although not finalized, proposed warrant articles could add another 38 cents to the tax rate if approved by the Board of Selectmen and voters. These figures do not include the school budget’s impact.
Selectmen Liaison Xen Vurgaropulos compared current spending trends to the past decade.
“In the last 10 years, the increases to our budget have been approximately $1 million or less every year. Compare that to COLA, the Cost-of-Living rate, and I think we do pretty well,” he said. “Prices aren’t going to stay the same every year, so regardless, something is going to go up. I get that we’re charged with keeping it down, but we have a responsibility to look at the whole picture.”
Vurgaropulos noted Hudson’s tax rate remains lower than many other Southern New Hampshire towns and emphasized that municipalities have little control over inflation.
Committee Chair James Lawrence expressed concern about rising costs.
“From my perspective looking at this budget, I see a town that actually has an increase year-over-year that is considerably over what the economic indicators say inflation is currently at,” said Lawrence. “Many residents may have difficulty accepting a budget with these types of increases. We may be at risk of voters approving a default budget. You may look at the numbers and say they aren’t too far apart, but there are consequences to that happening.”
Lawrence urged “reasonably prudent” changes, a sentiment echoed by Bob Wherry.
“We have medical costs rising, electricity costs rising, and I think there are people who are going to be forced to make hard decisions with what little discretionary income they have left,” said Wherry. “I think it’s our job to try and protect them.”
Committee member Kevin Cole proposed cutting $3 million from the proposed town budget without specifying where reductions should occur.
“Take it off the top, and let the town figure out how to deal with it,” said Cole.
Jasper opposed across-the-board cuts, advocating for targeted reductions. He suggested eliminating a new HR position costing $133,300.77.
“It was a change from the assistant town administrator to HR Generalist,” said Jasper. “I’m not opposed to the idea; I’m opposed to the increase at this time.”
Sorenson confirmed the position was new and identified as a priority in a staffing study three years ago.
“We do not, and never have had a human resources person at Town Hall,” said Sorenson. “It was one of the most requested positions via the employees.”
After debate, the Committee voted to recommend cutting the HR position. Other suggested cuts included limiting overtime at the Fire Department and reducing a Police Department software maintenance item.
The Hudson Budget Committee will meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Buxton Room at Town Hall.
