BERLIN â The board of education delivered a much improved financial picture when it had its second budget meeting with the city council Monday night.
Superintendent of Schools Julie King reminded the council that when she presented the districtâs budget back in March it was looking at an increase of $1.29 million in expenditures coupled with a $2.2 million cut in revenues.
At the time she said she expected the budget figures would change and King reported they have changed for the better.
The district is still working to get qualified families to sign up for free and reduced lunch â a factor the state uses to determine education aid. Many did not bother sign up because federal funds this year made the program free for all students.
City Manager James Wheeler estimated the average residential customer would pay about $10 more per year.
Wheeler had recommended a rate of $9.07 for an increase of 4.7 percent from the current rate of $8.66. To achieve that rate, he recommended using $1.15 million from the sewer user fund balance, leaving $3.8 million in that account. Wheeler said the average sewer bill is still below the state average. He said small increases avoid draining the fund balance, allowing the city to be able to keep the rate down.
The council split on the sewer rate.
Councilor Russell Otis argued for following Wheelerâs recommendation, pointing out it would cost the average residential customer about $20 for the year.
BERLIN â The city continues to comply with the N.H. Board of Tax and Land Appeals order and expects the case will soon be closed.
At the April 12 city council meeting, City Manager James Wheeler reviewed the city attorneyâs update to the state board. The letter reports that the three members of the Berlin Board of Assessors agreed to step down after Mayor Paul Grenier requested their resignations.
Per the Board of Tax and Land Appeals order, the city has billed the three assessors for the property assessment abatements they granted each other and a family member for tax years 2018 and 2019 as well as interest. The totals are Mark Eastman, $2,074, Robert Goddard, $2,421, and Kem Rozek, $4,011. Thomas Rozek, the son of Kim Rozek, was billed $2,403.
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