Happy Mothers' Day! Ward 5 Newsletter - May 2025

Wishing all moms a Happy Mothers' Day today!

City Council Meeting, Monday, May 12th

1. Consent Reports: I have pulled three: City Priorities, the Financial Reports, and Pool Reports. Deputy City Manager of Finance, Brian LeBrun, recently answered questions I asked about the revenue generated by the multiple tournaments organized by the NH Golf Association (NHGA)at Beaver Meadow. He listed rates that are significantly lower and in some cases charged nothing. Two examples:

   • NHGA is hosting all rounds of the Fourball Match Play (four different days, four hours each day) at Beaver Meadow. Players are only paying one fee of $35 to Beaver Meadow for the entire event. NHGA is charging players $305 with a field size of 80 players. Our 2025 rates for outings 80 and above are $69 each. Today is the first day and our Sunday rates for 18 holes is $56 (or $79 with a cart).

   • NHGA is hosting the NH State Amateur Qualifier at Beaver Meadow on June 22nd. This event is 90 players and Mr. LeBrun stated the decision was made to not charge for this event as a service to golf in the state. NHGA is charging players $155. June 22nd is a Sunday, our 2025 outing rate for over 80 people on a weekend is $69/each.

2. Public Hearings: Revision to Ordinance and Non-Ordinance Based Fees, Fines, and Penalties. Proposed increases ensure fees and charges are adequate to support city services. Non-ordinance fees are included in this process. The non-resident rate was eliminated September 2012 via consent agenda. The rates at the golf course are considered non-ordinance fees and this is an opportunity for public comments.

   • Of note, the rate for a school to use Beaver Meadow is $3,160 and has not changed since 2011. Mr. LeBrun recently shared that Bishop Brady High School only pays $2,500 and has for at least the last three years.

3. Keach Park Athletic Field Lights. Reports As this project has already been bonded (the first payment of $41,277 for them is next month), it is expected that construction will begin this year.

   
   

The FY2026 draft budget is available. Wondering how it will impact your taxes? Right now the tax rate is $27.69. The Concord School portion is going up to $16.14, the City's will climb to $10.23, assuming the County stays the same at $2.32, next year's tax rate will be $28.69. A home assessed at $400K will see their taxes increase from $11,076 to $11,476. (400 x 28.69)

Keep in mind that we are in the midst of a revaluation. When Rochester wrapped up theirs, the tax bill for manufactured homes and condos more than doubled. If you want to get an idea of what your tax bill could be, check out Zillow.com and look up your address. Then multiply that estimate by 28.69.

There are a number of ways we can get that number down: veterans credit, elderly exemption, solar exemptions. All exemptions.

Another way to lower the tax rate is to cut the budget.

Let's work together to provide a good quality of life that everyone can afford. All meetings on the Budget will be held at 5:30pm in Council Chambers (37 Green St) and include time for public comment. FY2026 draft budget

• Thursday, May 15th - Budget Presentation, Public Hearings

• Monday, May 19th - General Government, Public Safety, General Services, Public Hearings

• Thursday, May 22nd - Community Development, Leisure Services, Human Services, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Public Hearings

• Monday, June 2nd - Special Revenue Funds, Enterprise Funds, Public Hearings

• Thursday, June 5th - Committee Work Session, Public Hearings, Budget Adoption

Scenes from Ward 5: Centre Street celebrating Spring

Enjoying spring colors from the Centre Street sidewalk. Roundabout at Centre, Auburn, and Liberty Streets maintained by volunteers

Books I am listening/reading for the Ultimate Book Nerd 2025 Challenge:

Happy City by Charles Montgomery. Audiobook available at the Concord Public Library.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Book, ebook, and audiobook available at the Concord Public Library. This is an incredible book and would make a great gift for any fierce mom you know!

"It is, Sir, the people's government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people". -Daniel Webster