At Linda and Donald Matson’s house in Alton, they had nearly 11 acres of land to themselves. Tucked away down a dirt road, the forest bled into their backyard and two neighbors lived at the foot of their street. It was quiet and spacious, but as they got older they looked to downsize.

When the Matsons moved to Concord seven years ago, they bought a manufactured home that was half the size of their old house. They were now closer to their adult children and doctors in the area. But with their move came a new tax bill that they’ve watched grow year to year.

With a proposed $170.5 million budget in Concord for the 2024-25 fiscal year, residents will see another tax increase of nearly 4%.

For a home valued at $350,000, the city portion of their tax bill will increase by $130 – which does not account for local school, county or state taxes. City taxes have historically comprised just over 30% of the total tax bill.

While City Manager Tom Aspell said the proposed budget “is aligned with the City Council’s priorities and goals” in his introductory letter, residents like the Matsons would disagree. They say the continued increases are pricing them out of the city.

This year, the Matsons will pay nearly $6,000 in property taxes for their manufactured home with a value of $200,000. Their tax bill is more than what they paid for a home twice the size in Alton. As Concord continues to increase its tax rate alongside rising property values, they fear their fixed incomes won’t keep pace with impending bills.

“This was supposed to be our forever home,” said Linda, 78.

Increasing costsin Concord

Over the last few years, the Matsons have watched for-sale signs planted and removed across the neighborhood. Waiting lists for their park are long, with cash offers moving deals along. And prices are high, too.

In April, two manufactured homes around the corner sold for over $250,000.

Every time a property is sold, it’s a reminder that their valuation will likely go up, further increasing their tax bill.

“It seems like the owners every time they sell any property, you know, everybody gets affected and because there’s such a shortage,” said Donald, 81.

It’s a peculiar problem for him, he said. In theory, an increase to his property value would be a good thing if he were looking to sell, but he has no plans of doing so.

“We don’t want to move,” he said. “Where are we going to go?”

While New Hampshire state law requires that communities offer tax credits and exemptions to the elderly, veterans and people living with disabilities, the amount is set by local municipalities.

Both of them served in the military, with Donald on submarines and Linda in the reserves, typing orders.

Alton provides the maximum tax credit for veterans at $750 – which is taken off a homeowner’s bill. In Concord, city councilors voted in April to increase the benefit from $200 to $300.

That’s not the only difference they see between their two towns. In Alton, marinas along the lakefront generated property tax revenue for the town. In Concord, the number of government buildings, nonprofits and conservation land, which are all tax-exempt, means that the burden falls to other payers.

This year, though, Aspell noted that an increase in building permits was one area where revenues increased for the city.

‘It goes up every year’

While the high taxes and rising values were a surprise to the Matsons when they decided to downsize in Concord, Wesley Pereonto is no stranger in the city.

Since 1998 he’s owned a two-bedroom, 864-square-foot home in East Concord.

And similar to the Matsons, his tax bill is just over $5,000.

To him, city council decisions and superfluous spending are to blame.

“The way they do business, there is no accountability for nothing,” he said. “Every person I know of, including my parents, when you are working, you can live in this state. But when you retire, you can’t afford to.”

Pereonto retired two years ago after a career as a builder. He made a living fixing other people’s homes. Now he fears he’ll have to get rid of his.

“If it keeps going the way it is, I’m going to end up selling my house,” he said.

Last year, the council adopted a budget with a 3.95% tax increase. This year, the proposed increase is 3.89%. While the numbers are consistent, any increase stretches wallets thin for those on a fixed income, said Pereonto.

“It goes up every year. Whereas it might be a little, might be a lot, it just seems to go up all the time,” he said. “I’ve worked my whole life. I scrimped and saved to do what I could do.”

Concord’s proposed budget also does not include big-ticket capital projects that have been in conversation among city leaders, like the new middle school, renovations to Memorial Field and the Beaver Meadow Golf Course clubhouse.

“There’s just wasteful spending on some of the stupidest things that I can possibly think of,” he said.

Generational challenge

On a Wednesday afternoon, the Matsons were heading to Chuckster’s for a round of mini-golf organized by the American Association of Retired Persons.

They’ve volunteered for AARP for a few years now, setting up a table at events across the city or hosting outings, like mini-golf.

And through AARP, they often talk to seniors about Social Security and saving for caregiving expenses. These days, property taxes are brought up more frequently in conversation.

Linda can admit, though, that the concern over property taxes is an uncomfortable reality as a retiree.

When she first moved to Alton, she remembers advocating the new regional high school.

“For me to complain about taxes is kind of a strange thing,” she said. “I support the teachers.”

But she doesn’t understand the city’s decision to build a new middle school in East Concord at the Broken Ground site.

Her grandson went to Rundlett, and to her, it’s an example of another cost overburdening taxpayers.

“Why? They already have it,” she said. “Why give up something?”

The city council is expected to vote on the proposed budget on Monday.