The fiscal and budget year of the City shall begin on the first
day of July and end on the last day of June unless another date shall
be fixed by ordinance. (RSA 49-C:22) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,484 yes, 635 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The Manager shall appoint an officer other than the Treasurer
who shall maintain accounting control over the finances of the City,
make financial reports, and perform such other duties as may be required
by the administrative code. The Finance Director shall audit and approve
all authorized claims against the City before paying the same. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235
no, effective 7-1-2011)
At such time as may be requested by the Manager or specified
by the administrative code, each officer or director of a department
shall submit an itemized estimate of the expenditures for the next
fiscal year for the departments or activities under his control. The
Manager shall submit the proposed budget to the Council at least one
month before the start of the fiscal year of the budget. (RSA
49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective
7-1-2011)
A.
Limitation on budget increases. Recognizing
that final tax rates for the City of Laconia are set by the New Hampshire
Department of Revenue Administration pursuant to RSA 21 J:35, I, the
Administration, the School Department and the City Council of the
City of Laconia shall develop their annual budget proposals and the
City Council shall act upon such proposals in accordance with the
mandates of this section.
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Override Provision. Budgetary restrictions
described in any part of section 5:03.5 may be over-ridden upon a
two-thirds vote of the Laconia City Council. Such an override expires
following adoption of the annual budget. Subsequent budgets or supplemental
appropriations require additional two-thirds override votes, or the
limitations expressed below in section 5:03.5 will apply.
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1.
In submitting their proposed budgets to the City Council, the Administration
and the School Department shall not propose total expenditures in
an amount exceeding the tax rate established during the prior fiscal
year increased by a factor equal to the change in the National Consumer
Price Index - Urban as published by the United States Department of
Labor for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of the
budget adoption.
2.
In establishing a combined municipal budget, the City Council shall
be allowed to assume an estimated property tax rate only in an amount
not to exceed the tax rate established during the prior fiscal year
increased by a factor equal to the change in the National Consumer
Price Index - Urban as published by the United States Department of
Labor for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of the
budget adoption.
B.
Exception to budget increase limitation. Capital
expenditures, and the total or any part of the principal and interest
payments of any municipal bond, whether established for school or
municipal purposes, may be excepted from being included in the expenditures
that are subject to the prior limitation upon a two-thirds vote of
the City Council. The exception made under this section shall expire
upon adoption of the budget for the next budget year, unless the council
votes by a two-thirds majority to renew the exception for the next
budget year.
C.
Budget limitation in a revaluation year. When
the City Council accepts an increase in real estate values as the
result of a City wide revaluation, the City Council shall adhere to
a maximum increase in the combined real estate tax revenues as follows:
The combined real estate taxes raised from the prior budget year shall
be increased by a factor no more than the change in the National Consumer
Price Index - Urban as published by the United States Department of
Labor for the calendar year immediately preceding budget adoption,
then this figure shall be used in establishing the new combined municipal
budget.
D.
Budget limitation with annual changes in assessments. When annual changes in real estate values occur as a result of State
of New Hampshire assessing requirements, the City Council shall adhere
to a maximum increase in the combined real estate tax revenues as
follows:
1.
The combined real estate taxes raised from the prior year shall be
increased by a factor of no more than the change in the National Consumer
Price Index - Urban as published by the United States Department of
Labor for the calendar year immediately preceding budget adoption,
plus real estate taxes calculated by applying the prior year real
estate tax rate to the net increase in new construction. "Net increase
in new construction" is defined as: the total dollar value of building
permits less total dollar value of demolition permits issued for the
period of April 1 - March 31 preceding budget adoption.
E.
Total expenditures for any given budget year shall not exceed the
amount of funds reasonably calculated to be derived by the tax rate
established pursuant to Paragraph A. 2. herein, increased by the other
revenues generated by the municipality. (Added by referendum
11-8-2005)
A public hearing on the budget shall be held before its final
adoption by the Council, at such time and place as the Council shall
direct, and notice of such public hearing together with a summary
of the budget as submitted shall be published at least one week in
advance by the City Clerk. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The budget shall be finally adopted not later than the 27th
day of the first month of the fiscal year. Should the Council take
no final action on or prior to such day, the budget, as submitted,
shall be deemed to have been finally adopted by the Council. This
section shall not apply to the first fiscal year after this Charter
takes effect. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010,
3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
No appropriation shall be made for any purpose not included
in the annual budget as adopted unless voted by a two-thirds majority
of the Council after a public hearing held to discuss said appropriation.
The Council shall by resolution designate the source of any money
so appropriated. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010,
3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5:06, the Council
is authorized to apply for, accept and expend unanticipated money
from a state, federal, or other governmental unit or a private source
which becomes available during the fiscal year. For unanticipated
monies in the amount of $10,000 or more, the Council shall hold a
prior public hearing on the action to be taken, with seven days prior
notice of the time, place and subject of the hearing to be published
in a newspaper of general circulation in Laconia. For unanticipated
monies of less than $10,000, the Council shall take action in the
public session of any regular Council meeting, and shall include notice
of the action in its agenda for that meeting. Action taken shall be
included in the minutes of the meeting. The Council may establish,
in its Rules of Procedure, the amount of unanticipated funds which
requires a public hearing, so long as the amount is less than $10,000.
Action taken hereunder shall not require the expenditure of other City
funds except those lawfully appropriated for the same purpose.(RSA 31:95-b) (Amended by referendum 11-4-2019)
At the beginning of each quarterly period during the fiscal
year and more often if required by the Council, the Manager shall
submit to the Council data showing the relation between the estimated
and actual income and expense to date, and if it shall appear that
the income is less than anticipated, the Manager with the approval
of the Council may reduce the appropriation for any item or items,
except amounts required for debt and interest charges, to such a degree
as may be necessary to keep expenditures within the total anticipated
revenues. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,376
yes, 704 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The Manager may provide for monthly or quarterly allotments
of appropriations to departments, funds, or agencies under such rules
as he shall prescribe. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
After the budget has been adopted, no money shall be drawn from
the treasury of the City, nor shall any obligation for the expenditure
of money be incurred, except pursuant to a budget appropriation unless
there shall be a specific additional appropriation therefor. The head
of any department, with the approval of the Manager, may transfer
any unencumbered balance or any portion thereof from one fund or agency
within his department to another fund or agency within his department;
The manager, with the approval of the Council, may transfer any unencumbered
appropriation balance or any portion thereof from one department to
another. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334
yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The Council shall designate the depository or depositories for
City funds and shall provide for the daily deposit of all City moneys.
The Council may provide for such security for City deposits as it
may deem necessary, except that personal surety bonds shall not be
deemed proper security. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
An independent audit shall be made of all accounts of the City
government at least annually and more frequently if deemed necessary
by the Council. Such audit shall be made by certified public accountants
experienced in municipal accounting. An abstract of the results of
such audit shall be made public. At lease once every five years the
Council shall request that such audit be made by the New Hampshire
State Tax Commission or by auditors selected by said Commission if
then authorized by law to make such audit. An annual report of the
City's business shall be made available. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended
by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
Any City officer elected or appointed by authority of this Charter
may be required by the Manager to give a bond to be approved by the
City Solicitor for the faithful performance of the duties of his office,
but all officers receiving or disbursing City funds shall be so bonded.
All official bonds shall be corporate surety bonds, and the premiums
thereon shall be paid by the City. Such bonds shall be filed with
the City Clerk. (RSA 49-C:23) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010,
3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
Subject to the applicable provisions of state law and the rules
and regulations provided by ordinance in the administrative code,
the Council, by resolution, may authorize the borrowing of money for
any purpose within the scope of the powers vested in the City and
the issuance of bonds of the City or other evidence of indebtedness
therefor, and may pledge the full faith, credit and resources of the
City for the payment of the obligation created thereby. Borrowing
for a term exceeding one year shall be authorized by the Council only
after a duly advertised public hearing. (RSA 49-C:24) (Amended
by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
