Keene residents and businesses are encouraged to take an active role in City budget discussions and take advantage of direct opportunities to influence how the City allocates resources for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Decisions made in these upcoming meetings affect every facet of municipal operations, from infrastructure and public safety to community services and long-term fiscal health.
FOP (Finance, Organization, and Personnel Committee) meetings are the formal venue where public input directly impacts the decision-making process, and the City Council’s decisions are informed by direct public participation.
Public Input Makes a Difference
The budget process determines how resources are allocated across all City departments and services. Attending these meetings allows members of the public to:
- Directly Influence Spending: Speak to the FOP City Councilors who are the first to vote on funding for infrastructure, human services, public safety initiatives, and more.
- Get the Facts: Understand the actual costs of City services and the factors influencing property taxes.
- Represent Public Interests: Ensure that the issues people care about are heard before the budget is finalized.
Upcoming Budget Review Meeting Schedule – Public Input Opportunities
All meetings are held at Keene City Hall in the Council Chambers (2nd Floor) unless otherwise noted.
- Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 PM (FOP Meeting): Focus: Overview, General Fund Revenues & Expenditures, Debt Service, Mayor & City Council, Information Technology, PC Replacement Fund, Outside Agencies, Human Services, Unclassified Items, Capital Appropriations, Risk Management, City Clerk, City Manager’s Office, Airport, Community Development, Library, Parks & Recreation, Facilities
- Thursday, May 14, 5:30 PM (FOP Meeting): Focus: City Attorney, Assessment, Finance, Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Compensated Absences Fund, Parking Fund, Police, Fire
- Tuesday, May 19, 5:30 PM (FOP Meeting): Focus: Public Works, Solid Waste Fund, Sewer Fund, Water Fund, Equipment (Fleet) Fund
- Thursday, May 28, 5:30 PM (FOP Meeting): Focus: FOP budget recommendations, salary ordinance, and bond resolutions
- Thursday, June 4, 7:00 PM (City Council Meeting): Event: Public Hearing – This is an opportunity for public testimony on the entire budget proposal.
How to Participate
Residents are encouraged to attend FOP meetings in person to speak during public comment portions of the meeting. For those unable to attend, emails to the FOP committee are an option using the contact details on the City Council page. Documents and full Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget details are available for review online as well as additional information at www.keenenh.gov/budget.
The final City Council vote for adoption is scheduled for June 18, 2026, with the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.
