Bedford Tax Rate Drops

Nowadays, a reduction in tax rate is a rarity to be sure.

Yet that's exactly what Bedford residents will see when they open their tax bills in the coming weeks.

According to Bedford Finance Director Crystal Dionne, the tax rate for 2012 was recently certified by the state Department of Revenue at $20.32 per $1,000 assessed valuation, or $6,096 on a $300,000 home.

That's down 22 cents from $20.54 per $1,000 assessed valuation in 2011, or $6,162 on a $300,000 home.

Dionne attributed the reduction to a $2.35 million budget surplus that was recently returned to the town from the Bedford School District (SAU 25). According to the Union Leader, the school district savings are due to an increase in revenue and savings in expenses, much of which can be attributed to last year's mild winter.

Bedford's tax rate includes four components, the municipal rate for town services, the county rate, and local and state education rates. The following chart breaks down each component from 2011 and 2012.

All tax bills, said Dionne, are expected to be sent by the end of the week and are due by Monday, Dec. 3.