finance

One of the important public services provided by several municipalities in New Hampshire is an organized recreation program. Different recreational programs may be provided to residents of all ages. Recreation programs can vary in requirements.  Some may require significant investments in facilities and equipment, while others may require staff to administer or provide the program, and yet others may just involve the dedication of public property for individual leisure, such as with parks.

Anyone who has attended a town meeting, deliberative session, or a budget committee hearing knows there is a direct relationship between the goods and services provided in a municipality and the resulting tax rate. Because the choices voters make will have a direct financial impact on the real estate taxes they will pay, New Hampshire citizens often have at least a basic understanding of how the budgeting process works in their town or city.

Since the passage of the Public Employees Labor Relations Act (RSA 273-A), New Hampshire has seen explosive growth in the number of county, municipal and school district employees who are unionized. Prior to the 1970s, unionization had occurred in only a few New Hampshire communities. Since the adoption of RSA 273-A, it has become common for public employees to unionize as soon as they can form a bargaining unit that meets the minimum statutory requirements of ten regular full or part-time employees, or both, who share a "community of interest."

Post-Issuance Tax Compliance has become a common topic at seminars recently because the Internal Revenue Service has increased their examinations pertaining to post-issuance tax compliance of municipal borrowers. Municipal borrowers, including towns, cities, counties, schools and village districts sign documents promising to abide by the rules of the Internal Revenue Code. This is relative to all municipal borrowers whether they issue bonds in the market on their own or through the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (Bond Bank).

Municipal borrowers such as New Hampshire towns, cities, counties and village districts can borrow money at tax exempt rates which are lower than rates offered to most commercial borrowers since they are "favored borrowers" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Such municipalities can borrow at these low rates for both capital purposes (bonds) and operating purposes (tax anticipation notes).

By Barbara T. Reid

The State of New Hampshire currently faces significant budget challenges. Municipalities are also facing significant budget challenges of their own, with losses in local sources of revenues, cuts in state aid and property taxpayers saying "enough!"

By Daniel M. Deschenes

We have all heard the stories regarding construction projects that have run well over budget, did not finish on time and caused municipalities great grief, anxiety and expense. Now more than ever, municipalities are on tight budgets with their resources stretched thin. In this economic climate, how can a town know whether the contractor bidding on its construction project is competent and financially able to complete the work? How can a town protect itself if a contractor doesn't finish and simply walks away?

At this time of year, when we all wish we could be enjoying the summer and reading this magazine from a fishing boat or camp site, the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has been making plans on how to efficiently process the 2011 property tax rates. We are all sharing the pains of the most difficult budget season in recent history and are collectively facing budget and staff reductions. By working together, we can keep the wheels of local government rolling.

Successful partnerships often begin with a conversation that starts with a “what if … ?” scenario. Shared boundaries or established cooperatives, such as a school district, create an obvious connection and serve as a starting point from which to explore opportunities and build consensus. Municipalities responding to LGC’s recent survey of cooperative agreements reported a variety of collaborative arrangements. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sharing agreements, but the following established models may offer ideas to adapt to your community.