According to Ms. Vicki Goff of the Westerly Sun, Hopkinton’s tax rate may increase by as much as 3%. Initially, the Town was predicting a marginal raise of less than 1% but obviously, things have changed. I am not surprised. The Town kept the tax rate stable last year by using some overly optimistic numbers about how much money we would actually collect. When you monkey around with the numbers, you can expect to eventually pay the piper. But the Town Manger did not still expect to be in Hopkinton, so the hit-and-run tactics are completely understandable. This year we are losing a good bit of state aid and we can expect to collect fewer taxes. So unless we spend less, you and I need to come up with the cash.
But there is a bright side. You can keep your taxes stable by voting down the budget in June. Other Towns are cutting staff and laying people off and THE COURTS ARE LETTING THEM! If the Town Council is hesitant to lay people off, we can do it for them by voting the budget down. It’s that easy. A rejected budget means a flat budget, the same one as last year.
March 9, 2009 at 2:17 am
If you vote the budget down, it reverts to last year’s figures which are higher. The tax increase would be higher than 3%. I believe it would be 4.5%. Interesting scenario.
Best bet, attend a budget workshop and voice your concerns, offer suggestions. Perhaps the 3% can become lower. Call your councilors if you cannot attend.
March 9, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I had to laugh. Where are your numbers? It is quite possible that what you say is correct but you have left out all the details.
If we vote the budget down and we go with a level funded budget, we all still pay the same in taxes. And the reason is that we approve a budget, not an increase in the tax rate. An increase in the tax rate only comes when we spend more than we are already collecting.
Now, this all works if Chariho remains level funded. If they increase their budget, our budget will increase correspondingly. If we have to pay an additional amount to Chariho, level funding Hopkinton won’t help. We then need to reduce our budget to make up for the difference. Is this what we are planning on doing? This is the only way I’m going to approve a Hopkinton budget in this economy.
So, assuming you are aware of the actual budget numbers, answer these questions:
1. How much of an increase will we need to send to Chariho (percentage will be fine and I know the budget is not settled yet but preliminary numbers do exist)
2. How much of an increase/decrease is the municipal budget?
3. Together, how much is the increase?
This information is requisite in determining whether we should vote down the Hopkinton budget.
“Call your councilors if you cannot attend.”
Why, to tell them what they should already know? That Hopkinton wants lower taxes?
March 9, 2009 at 9:05 pm
It is not the same. Revenue is different.
The overall budget is less. That’s my understanding.
I was just responding to your request to vote the budget down. That is your perrogative.
But, level funding would actually increase our taxes rather than decrease them because this year’s municipal budget is smaller than last year’s. This is what I was told.
That does not mean it can’t be cut further.
My advice is for people to contact the town hall or one of their councilors to get the lowdown before you jump to any conclusions regarding the notion of level funding.
The budget process is ongoing. I implore people to offer their insight.
P.S. I’m glad I gave you a good laugh.
Chariho is applying $2.25 million in surplus in next year’s budget (Again, my understanding is that this figure is embedded within the revenue figures on the Chariho budget.) I’m not sure if enrollment is down a little (I did not inquire on that), but based on the surplus being applied, Hopkinton and Richmond are at a small decrease. Tom and Bill Felkner, (whom I spoke to on Sunday at the Parish House at the 7th Day Baptist Church), both approached Brian Stanley regarding the Chariho budget.
I believe that anyone who wishes can get a copy of the Chariho Budget through the town, as well.
I’m sure they understand Hopkinton wants lower taxes. That is why Tom ran in the first place. He and I would love to pay less than almost $4,000 per year, trust me.
Again, the budget, so far, is actually smaller than last year’s, but as you stated, the revenues are lower too. (Revenues, such as, building fees, meal tax, permits. Everything is down.)
You seem knowledgable. I’m sure you have innovative ideas to offer.
I’ve often become the “blog liaison” with Tom, but I won’t do it anymore, as time does not permit. Anyways, he prefers to communicate in person or on the phone, plus he’s always open to residents.
The budget is supposedly on-line, and hopefully, updated as well. Check the town’s website.
March 9, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Link to municipal budget. Date of it is 2/9. If it has been updated, it has not been noted on this link:
http://www.hopkintonri.org/pdfs_downloads/Finance/budget0910PublishedDraft_all.pdf
March 10, 2009 at 3:21 pm
blogs are for cowards
March 10, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Is “yea” your first name or last name?
March 10, 2009 at 5:14 pm
my middle
March 10, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Not to belabor a point that I made so subtly and amusingly, but does it not seem a bit cowardly to just leave your middle name? I guess it takes one to know one (hopefully you won’t have to think to hard to get the meaning there). I’ll try not to be so cerebral with the rest of my insults.