Public input split on county funding for social agencies

LACONIA — Speakers for and against a request by the county commission to approve supplemental appropriations to outside agencies showed up by the dozens to a meeting of the Belknap County Delegation at the County Complex Wednesday night.

A group of about 20 stood outside the complex before the meeting, holding signs and signaling support for a supplemental appropriation which would fund the Belknap County Conservation District, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire. 

Many residents who attended the meeting, which was limited to public comment, expressed frustration with an increasing tax burden, asking delegation members not to approve the roughly $130,000 in funding.

The Belknap County Delegation comprises all of those elected to represent the county in the Statehouse. 

In March, representatives passed a county budget which significantly reduced appropriations made to the three agencies. Since then, county residents have expressed disapproval of that decision, culminating in a formal request made by Commissioners Peter Spanos (District 1), Glen Waring (District 2) and Stephen Hodges (District 3) to the delegation to consider restoring that funding. 

Over 60 people, representing both perspectives, packed the meeting room Wednesday. 

“Ultimately, the question of this request for your reconsideration came down to assessing the value in terms of what these three outside agencies contribute to the betterment of the county. We feel that the services they provide are intrinsic, are valuable, that they make Belknap County better and by extension they make the State of New Hampshire better,” Spanos said. “We support the reinstatement of these funds in the strongest possible words, and we really, really hope that the convention — some of the members — will reverse their previous vote and support this request.”

Travis O’Hara of the Belmont Selectboard told representatives their body unanimously does not support the commissioners' request.

“The Belmont Board of Selectmen deeply value the contributions of these organizations to our community. However, after careful consideration, the board has unanimously decided not to support the special appropriation request,” O’Hara said. “Our residents have consistently voted for a default budget over the past two years and recently rejected the school budget, this year. These voting patterns clearly demonstrate that Belmont residents oppose tax increases unless they are absolutely essential for the government’s operations.” 

Executive Councilor Joe Kenney (R-District 1), who represents Belknap County, attended the meeting to show his strong support for the continued financing of the UNH Co-op Extension, describing their operations as essential for the health of the county and state economy.

“Over the years, the UNH Cooperative Extension Service has been a diamond in the rough for the State of New Hampshire. I’ve represented seven counties over the last several years at certain points, and any time a constituent has come to me and they’ve needed help with their farm, or their forest, or how to handle food or how to do home economics, I always refer them to the UNH Cooperative Extension Service,” Kenney said. “It’s no mistake, the quality of work that they do.”

Joe Rolfe, a farmer from Belmont, similarly pleaded with representatives to consider continued funding for the UNH Co-op.

“UNH is pivotal in farm operations, and I’m just one guy that needs their services,” he said. 

Gregg Hough of Laconia spoke against the request, noting he and other residents are concerned about increasing tax burdens. 

“The other day I bought a jar of almond butter — it was $14. I registered my car, it was $900. My property taxes have almost doubled in less than a year, I also struggle as so many people in the county do,” Hough said. “This past election, we voted not to be taken advantage of as law abiding tax citizens and that’s why you are all here. The county commissioners need to stop engaging in the same old political roles, they asked for a budget they know is out of line, like a 12.5% increase. The delegation works hard to balance needs with taxing our citizens.

“A supplemental appropriation is for emergency funding, not because you didn’t get what you wanted.”

Richard DeMark, of Meredith, has had a professional and volunteer relationship with the Belknap County Conservation District since 1978. 

“I’m here because the impact of these cuts does not make economic sense for Belknap County. For the district, we’re looking at a lost opportunity in being able to leverage grants ... of over $357,000, and it also threatens that decades-long relationship of bringing over $1 million into Belknap County, direct to residents,” DeMark said. 

Doug Lambert of Gilford, who’s also vice chair of the Belknap County Republican Committee, said he’s concerned about redundancies in services offered at taxpayer expense. 

“If you look at the services and you really dig deep, you’ll find that there are layers of redundancy with all the services that these groups provide,” Lambert said. “They’re all worthwhile people, they’re all worthwhile services — I don’t want to disparage any of the fine people associated with it.” 

The delegation will meet again at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, to discuss and decide on the request for supplemental appropriations.