Jeanie Forrester: Meredith tax rate increases 20.9%

It’s that time of year, the Town Meeting and elections are right around the corner. In preparation for this, the last two Meredith Selectboard meetings (Feb. 9 and Feb. 23) included public hearings on the 2026 budget and Keno 603 respectively.

The municipal operating budget is $22 million, with $1.4 million in Capital Improvement Program requests for a total budget of $23.4 million, an increase of 5.5% from the 2025 budget. With revenue projections of $7.4 million, adding back overlay (tax abatements) and war service credits of $47,500 and $312,125 respectively, the total net town appropriation to be raised by taxation is $16.4 million. Based on this figure, the estimated municipal tax rate is $4.16, compared with the 2025 tax rate of $3.44, for a 20.9% increase.

Highlights of the 2026 budget:

• Cost of living adjustment (COLA) for employees at 3.2%, a $220,617 increase from 2025
• Position changes include elimination of three part-time positions, the addition of two full-time administrative assistants (one for planning and development and one for the Town Manager’s Office); reclassifying two positions: human resources to human resources and special projects, and the office clerk position to planner 1; and renaming the town planner to senior planner
• Not included in the budget was a request by the fire department to change the part-time clerk to full-time, and a wage adjustment for the chief and call firefighters
• Also not included in the budget was a request by the department of public works to change a part-time position to full-time in solid waste
• $15,000 for the 250th Anniversary of Independence Day Celebration
• $25,000 for a salary study with job description review
• $75,000 for an economic development consultant
• 11.1% increase in funding for outside agencies at $265,054
• $960,000 of combined one-time revenue and year-end unexpended funds to be placed in the Community Infrastructure Expendable Trust Fund
• Debt service reduction of 17% or $216,221 as projects were paid off

There are 23 articles on the 2026 warrant. Articles 1-8 will appear on the ballot on Election Day, March 10; and Articles 9-23 will be discussed and voted on at Town Meeting. The final warrant includes three petitioned warrant articles (articles brought forward by residents) and the removal of an article relative to the Land Use Change Tax.

The article on the Land Use Change Tax asked for an increase from $50,000 to $100,000. Currently, the first $50,000 collected automatically goes to conservation activities to protect important open space, conserve natural resources, and retain rural character. On a 3-2 vote to remove the article from the warrant, the majority prevailed and the article was removed.

One of the petitioned warrant articles that received discussion was changing the town manager form of government to town administrator. The primary difference between the two positions is that the town manager has statutory authority over hiring and firing of personnel and the selectboard has no control over those decisions. The town administrator position has only the authority that the selectboard gives.

At the public hearing for Keno 603, the selectboard heard comments both for and against hosting this game in Meredith. Keno 603 was first legalized in New Hampshire in 2017, and towns had to opt in to allow it. Meredith chose not to permit the game. New Hampshire law now requires a municipality to opt out otherwise it is automatically permitted. This game is permitted in 84 town, nine cities, and one unincorporated township, and locations include 252 pubs and taverns and 320 convenience and grocery stores. Twenty-eight percent of all lottery profits (including Keno 603) go to the NH Education Trust Fund, who then distributes the funds to cities and towns. Additionally, establishments that offer Keno 603 receive an 8% commission on net sales with the average annual commission being $8,251.

The next meeting of the selectboard is Monday, March 9, and will include a final presentation on the budget that will be presented at Town Meeting.

Important dates:

• Town Election: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, at Meredith Community Center
• Town Meeting: At 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, at Inter-Lakes High School

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Jeanie Forrester serves on the Meredith Selectboard.