Keene City Council Moves Forward with $80.2 Million Budget

This budget allocates funds for four additional firefighter positions and supports ongoing initiatives to enhance downtown infrastructure.

The Keene City Council has taken significant steps regarding its financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year, having approved an $80.2 million budget during a public hearing. This budget allocates funds for four additional firefighter positions and supports ongoing initiatives to enhance downtown infrastructure.

City officials have proposed a total operating budget of $80,225,389, which will necessitate $32.9 million in funding through property taxes. According to the city’s financial projections, this plan would lead to an increase of nearly 10% in the municipal tax rate. However, this figure may be subject to adjustments as the city continues its property revaluation efforts.

A major focus of the council's discussions was on public safety, where there was unanimous agreement to allocate $525,460 for staffing enhancements in the fire department. Proponents of this initiative highlighted the rising volume of emergency calls as a pressing reason for the investment in additional personnel.

In broader terms, the budget outlines approximately $560,000 for various fire department staffing increases, in addition to a general rise of about $1.4 million in salary and benefits across the city.

Community members also advocated for the retention of a sustainability coordinator position within the budget, emphasizing its role in obtaining grants, lowering operational costs, and driving long-term environmental goals.

Moreover, the council adopted a resolution to facilitate additional financing for the downtown project, which city officials indicated is critical for managing costs as construction contracts are finalized. The council also approved an ordinance to increase water and sewer rates by 5%.

Other resolutions included a call for state officials to reconsider certain policies that shift financial burdens onto local governments and taxpayers; this resolution was later amended to remove a specific reference to Governor Kelly Ayotte.

Important bond resolutions tied to key infrastructure projects—covering areas such as downtown upgrades, road repairs, and enhancements to water and sewer systems—were deferred until the budget discussions scheduled for June 18. Notably, a bond authorization related to the Ashuelot River Dam project was also put on hold.

In further business, the council confirmed Rick Wood’s appointment as Keene’s emergency management director effective July 1. Several contracts were also authorized for projects such as the Ashuelot River Park greenspace and stormwater repair.

The city is set to continue accepting written input on the proposed budget until June 9, and amendments can be submitted by councilors until June 16. The final budget is expected to be adopted on June 18.