Keene City Council adopts $80.2 million fiscal 2026–27 budget, approves wage schedule

The Keene City Council unanimously adopted the city’s FY2026–27 budget on a show of hands, approving resolution R2026‑09‑C that appropriates $80,225,389 in total operating and related revenues and raises $32,941,678 by taxation.

“This is the culmination of a year’s worth of work to lay out our work for the next year,” Councilor Thomas F. Powers said as he moved the budget. Councilors praised staff and committee efforts in budget preparation during discussion before the vote.

Council discussion noted a recent state ‘downshifting’ of retirement and meals-and-rooms revenue sharing that councilors said reduced local revenue capacity. A council speaker highlighted an earlier reference to a roughly 6% tax‑revenue impact from downshifting and several councilors warned that when combined with reassessment effects taxpayers could see an overall increase in their bills; one councilor estimated the combined effect at about 9%.

The council also approved ordinance O‑2026‑02611, the fiscal 2027 wage schedule, which includes a 3% adjustment for positions not covered by collective bargaining and several reclassifications. Councilors noted that the wage plan has been used as a multi‑decade framework for class allocation and pay consistency.

The budget package reflects operating funds, capital appropriations and planned use of reserves as shown in the posted materials. Councilors said additional line‑item adjustments may follow year‑end closeouts or as committees consider capital project phasing.

The council adopted the budget and wage schedule without dissent and adjourned after completing the evening’s remaining business.