Hello Fellow Taxpayers,

With the up coming votes on the Hope 2025-2026 budget, I wanted to share with you some information you may find handing in making your decision at the polls/floor of Town Meeting. 

The Town has completed its revaluation resulting in the valuation of the Town’s valuation almost doubling in value. (Previous $216,716,000 to $411.400,580). This lowers the mill to 10.17 for the 2024-2025 Town Fiscal year. 

Please keep in mind that while the valuation has increased and the mil rate coming down, it is not known what impact the revaluation will have on individual property owner’s assessment/valuation. One taxpayer could have a valuation that is double of what it was last year, while the neighbor could see a 50% increase do to valuation criteria. This is the great unknown in writing this, as it is not going to be a doubling of valuation for everyone!

My analysis is showing that taxpayers are looking at a 15% to 20% increase in taxes across the board, less consideration of the revaluation. 

The 20% increase is what the Selectmen/School Board has presented to you the voters to consider. This includes $336,070 increase in the school budget over last year and $567,896 increase in Town/Municipal budget. 

The Town/Municipal budget is up by $368,767 in costs and $199,128 in less revenues from other sources than the taxes from taxpayers. Please keep in mind that this includes year one of the Town doing its own snowplowing. 

The school’s $336,070 increase will require the taxpayers to contributing $130,682 in taxes, $255,389 increase in State Subsidy and $50,000 less in carry-over funds from previous years unspent money. The total School Budget is now coming in at $3,843,281 or approximately $27,000 per student in cost. 

All this results in a 20% increase in taxes to you the taxpayer for the coming year if you approve the Selectmen and School Board as presented. 

The Budget Committee recommends some cuts, which if approved would result in a 15% in taxes. 

Neither is ideal but this is what we are looking at. 

So, get out and vote and let everyone hear what you the taxpayer thinks. Voting on School Budget is at the polls on June 10 at the Town Office. 

Voting on the Municipal budget will be held on June 12 at the Hope Corner Fire Department Station. 

Bill Pearse is Chairman Hope Budget Committee and lives in Hope