This bill amends RSA 40:13, IX(b) to alter the definition of default budget for official ballot town meetings. The default budget is the amount of the same appropriations as contained in the operating budget authorized for the previous year, reduced and increased by debt service, contracts, and other obligations previously incurred or mandated by law. The bill adds that the default budget is also reduced by one-time expenditures contained in the operating budget and by salaries and benefits of positions that have been eliminated in the proposed budget. Additionally, the bill adds that the default budget is reduced by any salary and benefits reductions as a part of position turnover which occur before the public hearing for the proposed budget. The bill specifies that one-time expenditures are appropriations not likely to recur in the succeeding budget, and eliminated positions do not include vacant positions under recruitment or positions redefined in the proposed operating budget, as determined by the governing body, unless the provisions of RSA 40:14-b are adopted, of the local political subdivision. The bill states that in calculating the default budget amount, the governing body shall follow the statutory formula which may result in a higher or lower amount than the proposed operating budget. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40:13