RAYMOND – The “sticker shock” after last week’s mailing of the new property tax rates has some residents eyeing the town’s bill with anxiety.
For resident Paul Brown, that initial look at the town’s end-of-the-year statement is something he’s been putting off for a few days. Last Thursday, town officials sent out the billing for the second half of 2008 with a new tax rate that comes to an even $19 per $1,000 of assessed property value, an increase of $1.50 or about 8.6 percent.
“I just brought my bill into my office a few hours ago,” said Brown yesterday. “I’m afraid to open it. Basically ” — it’s the overall economic situation that has everyone scared. I’m looking at some pretty high expenses for fuel this winter, and I also spent $1,500 to insulate my house and now the tax bill — there just isn’t enough money to pay for everything.”
Overall, Raymond’s property tax rate isn’t a record-setter for the region — Candia’s tax rate just went up by more than $2 for a 20-year-high of $20.90 — but as Brown noted, it’s the combination of the higher rate and the poor economy that makes a troubling equation for residents who weighed in on the matter in interviews yesterday. Of about a dozen residents questioned, an equal mix of full-time workers and retirees, the average property tax bill this year is $500 to $600 higher that the previous one.
According to a breakdown, some $11.56 is for local schools, while state school costs account for $2.13. The county receives 86 cents, and municipal costs, at $4.45, decreased by a penny, according to Board of Selectmen Chairman Tim Auclair.
Staff of the tax collector’s office said yesterday that despite the rate, a number of residents have already quickly paid the bills that were received by most households on Friday.
Some officials have received complaints. Last week, Budget Committee member Nick Longo became one of the first residents to publicly speak about the new tax rate as he implored selectmen to bring in a budget that will be “level-funded or reduced.”
Longo, a three year resident of Raymond, said he’s seen his own tax bill rise by an average of $600 annually since he came to town.
“The economy is bad, and it’s not getting any better,” he said. “It’s getting to a situation where I think the people really don’t have any more money to give to the town.”
Ultimately, Budget Committee member Ted Janusz said Raymond residents did a little better than the estimate from the Raymond NH Taxpayers’ Association, a local taxpayer advocacy group, which had originally estimated an increase at $2.25 or more. Janusz said the main focus should be on level funding as an option for bringing about a stable rate.
“From what I understand, there are no major increases ” — but it’s still going to be a tough year,” he said.