By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Most Hooksett residents have likely already seen their new tax bill, which reflects a 10-cent increase per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

While people aren't likely to jump for joy over a higher bill, the increase may be smaller than anticipated.

"I think some people were thinking it was going to jump about two dollars," said Town Administrator David Jodoin. "The cost of fuel was astronomical compared to what a lot of people had budgeted."

The new rate is $22.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

With that rate, an owner of a $200,000 home is required to pay $4,420 in property taxes, an increase of 0.45 percent of the last rate.

The Hooksett School District lost more than $400,000 in state aid from an adequacy grant, so the school portion of the tax rate jumped 61 cents to $10.99.

District Business Administrator Karen Lessard said an audit covering the 2003-04 fiscal year was recently completed and it was found that the schools should have had more money in the fund balance. The resulting windfall, said Lessard, went to offset increased costs and minimize the impact of the lost state aid.

Jodoin said the town's portion of the tax rate decreased by 14 cents to $5.70.

"Basically, the major reason was on the revenue side," said Jodoin, citing revenue generated from several types of townissued permits.

Jodoin also mentioned several departments - including police, solid waste, tax, family services and administration - that had surplus money returned to the general fund.

The county portion of the tax rate increased 23 cents to $2.50.