Laconia council adopts FY2026 spending plan with amendments; funds first‑responder mental‑health work

The Laconia City Council on July 14 approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 appropriation package after amending several budget lines, the council said. The final vote adopted Resolution 2025‑21 as amended by unanimous roll call.

City Manager Kurt Biotti presented an amended expenditure plan and described the key changes that followed council discussion. “We now have presented to you an amended expenditure plan for FY26,” Biotti said in his report, describing new and redirected funds and noting the overall package remains within the city’s tax cap.

Key changes and highlights presented to the council included: • A half‑year funding allocation for a project manager position (second half of FY26) and no current funding for a crime analyst position, which the police department still lists as a future priority. • A $50,000 allocation intended to begin development of a first‑responder mental‑health program; city staff said the Chiefs of Police and Fire will work with outside professionals to design the program, with the hope of expanding services to all city employees over 12–18 months. • Revenue adjustments reflecting the city’s share of proceeds from the sale of the Concord Co‑op property and opioid settlement receipts; those sources were used to offset increases without raising the amount to be funded by property taxes. • Minor internal fund adjustments, a Lakeport TIF fund amendment, and a new Pumpkin Fest account (revenue and expense offset).

Councilors moved through a set of amendments on the floor, approving each amendment by voice vote. After those amendments passed, councilors voted to waive a full textual reading of Resolution 2025‑21, approved the second reading, and then approved the resolution as amended.

Council discussion touched on staffing, service priorities and long‑term sustainability. Biotti noted the city had increased its general assistance budget line following recent expenditures and that other metrics — including a rise in building permits and increased use of parks and recreation facilities — informed the fiscal outlook.

Council members thanked finance staff and department heads for work on the budget. “This is not an easy project,” one councilor said during the vote, thanking Finance Director Glenn Smith and staff.

What the council decided: • Multiple procedural motions to amend the proposed FY2026 budget passed; the council adopted the amended FY2026 expenditure plan under Resolution 2025‑21 (final motion passed by roll call; vote recorded as the council’s affirmative vote count). • The budget, as amended, remains within the city’s property tax cap and uses identified non‑tax revenue sources for the approved amendments.

Next steps and implementation: City staff will implement the funded positions and programs and move forward on procurement and contracts as required. The $50,000 first‑responder mental‑health allocation is to be administered through city accounts and developed in partnership with the police and fire chiefs.

Details and context: Biotti and staff said the mobile integrated health (MIH) community paramedic program is already in operation and has reduced transports; officials hope such programs and other cost management tools will help constrain future operating pressures. Impact fees and a third‑party review of those fees were noted as pending items that could affect future capital plans.

Speakers quoted are recorded in the meeting transcript; the budget discussion occurred during the city manager’s report and under agenda item 22i (fiscal appropriations).