We are a town with a clear vision and philosophy of how our own economy should be maintained and developed. As with all New Hampshire municipalities, Hollis derives most of its revenues from local property taxes. A smaller portion is derived from fees, motor vehicle registrations, and other sources. Clearly then, an analysis of the Town's tax base, or its net local assessed valuation, is central to any issue related to the local economy. Typically, the influence that a municipality has on the value of the land and buildings within its jurisdiction is limited.
Property values are largely determined in the marketplace.
Hollis, however, has been able to maintain a stable economy and a strong tax base through decades of careful land use planning and prudent fiscal management. As clear as its vision has been, Hollis still must meet standards imposed by law for the provision of basic services, such as education, road maintenance, and public safety. Furthermore, many of the major expenditures facing the Town, such as for solid waste disposal, are largely based on state mandates and intermunicipal agreements. The costs for landfill closure at the Souhegan Regional Landfill, for example, are beyond the discretion of the Town. This chapter is designed to focus primarily on the issues related to the local economy that are largely within the jurisdiction of the municipality.