Finance & Accounting Department
Doreen Ravell, CPA, Finance Director, dravell@exeternh.org
Don Brabant, Town Treasurer
Lorrie Maker, Deputy Tax Collector/Water & Sewer Clerk, lmaker@exeternh.org
Helen Perrier, Accounting Clerk, hperrier@exeternh.org
Mailing Address:
Finance, Tax & Accounting Office
10 Front Street
Exeter, NH 03833
Regular Business Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Phone: 603-778-0591
Primary Responsibilities:
Accepting water/sewer bills and property tax payments;
Assisting the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen on budgetary issues;
Processing payroll and accounts payable warrants for the Town;
Reconciling the Town's cash accounts with the general ledger;
Day-to-day administration of the Town budget including processing purchase orders;
Day-to-day oversight of the general ledger;
Administering all revenue collections;
Coordinating the tax deeding process and lien process with the Town Manager/Tax Collector;
Coordinating water/sewer meter reading program and billing with the Department of Public Works;
Customer service on tax issues, water/sewer issues, and banking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions: Finance/Tax/Accounting Office:
Q: My tax bill shows a Boston address in the window. Why?
A: The Town is using a new lockbox service through its local bank, Citizen's Bank, to improve cash flow. Using a lockbox means payments reach our accounts faster. The lockbox service is located in Boston.
Q: The new tax bills have colored lines. Did this cost more?
A: No, the new bills are actually less expensive than in prior years.
Q: My June 1st tax bill only shows half the current tax rate. Why?
A: Because this is the way the bill is estimated per state law. This is also consistent with all New Hampshire municipalities.
Q: How much of my tax bill goes to education?
A: About 2/3.
Q: Where does the rest go?
A: To the Town and the county. The current county tax rate is 1.02 cents per 1,000. The Town share is $6.63 per thousand.
Q: Does the Town rate also include veterans credits?
A: Yes.
Q: What about elderly exemptions?
A: Elderly exemptions are deducted from the Town's assessed valuation and result in reduced tax for qualified applicants.
Q: What is the amount of the total Town General Fund budget for FY09?
A: 15,658,666 which includes funding for all Town Departments.
Q: Does this include any warrant articles that passed in 2009?
A: No, warrant articles are separate from the general budget. The budget includes general, water and sewer funds. It does not include warrant articles, or revolving funds under RSA 31-95(h).
Q: What is the amount of the total Water Fund budget for FY09?
A: 2,217,224. This covers administration, distribution, treatment, billing/collections, and debt service.
Q: What is the amount of the total Sewer Fund budget for FY09?
A: 1,587,553. This covers administration, sewer collection, treatment, billing/collections, and debt service.
Q: What is the total Town payroll for FY09?
A: Total budgeted payroll is $7,585,712. This includes all funds and all categories except overtime and longevity payments.
Q: What about overtime?
A: The total overtime budget for FY09 is $429,615. The bulk of this overtime is for the Fire Department, Police Department, and Public Works. The Town pays overtime to fill shifts in public safety, for snow plowing, answering emergency call outs for water and sewer main breaks, backfilling for station coverage on back to back EMS calls, office coverage, and filling shifts at the water and sewer treatment plants. Overtime is also paid for emergency response events such as floods or any situation requiring additional emergency staffing above the norm.
Q: What is the total Debt Service budget of the Town in FY09?
A: The total debt service budget is $1,783,507, which represents 9.16% of the total budget (general, water and sewer funds). Breakdown is $1,007,868(General Fund), $550,881 (Water Fund) and $224,758 (Sewer Fund).
Q: What other funds does the Town have?
A: Recreation Revolving Fund, EMS Revolving Fund, Public Safety Detail Fund, Planning Fund, and various trust funds adminstered by the Trustees of Trust Funds.
Q: How frequently does the Town bill for property taxes?
A: The Town bills twice per year. The first bill is due in July and is an estimated bill based on 1/2 of the prior year's tax rate per the NH RSA's. The second bill is due in December and reflects an updated tax rate, usually set in October by the NH Department of Revenue. The Town share of the 2009 tax rate is $6.63 per 1,000 of assessed valuation. The total tax rate is $22.62 per 1,000, with the remainder made up from education (local and regional schools), the statewide property tax for education, and the annual county assessment.
Q: How often does the Town bill for water/sewer?
A: The Town bills quarterly for these services, there are 3 districts within the Town, and each is district is billed 4 times per year.
Q: Does the Town take debit or credit cards?
A: Not at this time. We are researching ways to be able to take payments via this method in the future.
Q: What kinds of payments does the Town accept?
A: Cash, personal checks, bank checks, or money orders.
Q: How can I find out my outstanding balance due on my taxes or water/sewer accounts?
A: Contact billing and collections, at 778-0591 x108 during regular business hours.
Q: Are partial payments accepted on taxes?
A: Yes, the Town will take a partial payment on your tax bill. However, the remaining balance will accrue interest and penalties at 12%. In addition, the Town may put a lien on your residence for unpaid property taxes or water/sewer charges that are outstanding.
Q: I have a problem with my water/sewer bill. Who do I contact?
A: Questions regarding water/sewer usage can be directed to the Finance Office at 778-0591, x108. Residents with questions about consumption can contact the Department of Public Works during regular business hours at 773-6157. The Department will come to your residence and conduct a leak test if needed.
Q: What is the service fee on my water/sewer bill?
A: The service fee of $28 per quarter on both water and sewer bills reflects general overhead for these functions including administration, insurance, etc.
Q: Who sets the water/sewer rates for the Town?
A: The Board of Selectmen set the rates, as the Town's governing body, with a review process typically conducted annually or on an as needed basis.
Q: I have a question about a town bid or purchase. Who do I contact?
A: You should contact the originating department for a detailed response. Sealed bids in accordance with the Town's purchasing policy are submitted to the Town Manager's Office. Awards are made by either the Town Manager (up to $24,999) or the Board of Selectmen ($25,000 or above). Sealed bids $25,000 and above are advertised publicly and opened at regular Selectmen's Meetings. See the Public Works page for the latest bid information for that Department.
Q: How often is the Town audited?
A: The Town is audited once per year. Our current auditor is Melanson & Heath.
Q: How often does the Town pay bills?
A: The Town pays bills once per week, via an accounts payable warrant.
Q: Who collects the Statewide Property Tax for education?
A: This tax is collected by the Town as part of its tax billing process. The local schools get 100% of this tax.
Q: I want more detailed information on the tax rate. Where can I find it?
A: Tax rate information is found on the Assessing page of the website.
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