TOWN TREASURER DENISE SAURETTE: BUDGET 2 WILL COMPROMISE GOAL OF CAPITAL PLANNING

"Insanity: Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results"

This infamous maxim certainly applies to Tiverton’s recent practice of dipping into savings to stabilize taxes.

In the not too distant past, Tiverton had a history of using the unreserved general fund to offset taxes. Once stripped to the minimum, this practice ultimately resulted in unusually large tax increases and a reserve that dipped below the charter requirement. Apparently there are some folks who have not learned from that mistake, and continue to propose unsubstantiated changes to the budget committee budget AND take from the reserve.

Now many are blasting Tiverton for having a net surplus each year, but at the same time criticizing the lack of capital improvement and long term plans. The fact is these two issues go hand in hand, realizing a surplus at the end of any budget season, allows management the ability to plan.

Each time a petition withdraws from the unreserved general fund, our goal of capital planning is compromised. This practice whittles away at any opportunity to use those funds for the good of the entire town – a paving program or perhaps replacing heavy equipment without having to finance the purchase? A “Band-Aid” approach does not work here. We need long term planning and long term goals.

The recent elector petition compares Tiverton’s tax rate with our neighboring communities. It is disingenuous to compare solely based on the RE tax rate. There are a number of factors that contribute to the final calculation of the RE tax rate: Population, housing units, Real Property levy & rate, Commercial Property levy & rate, and the percent of State Aid received. Furthermore, each of these communities offers a different degree and level of service – contributing to a significantly different quality of life!

Portsmouth has a lower tax rate, and their proposed budget includes not only a $250K appropriation to fund their goal of a 16% Fund Balance but a $1M for road improvements. Interesting, it appears that allowing Town Management to do its job - build reserves and plan for the future - may actually result in a lower tax rate.

Stop harping on past mistakes, embrace the new administration, look to the future and “Let them do their Job!”

Denise Saurette

Tiverton Treasurer