Mayor Gatsas will present Manchester budget proposals next week
By TED SIEFER
New Hampshire Union Leader
Published Feb 14, 2013 at 3:00 am
(Updated Feb 13, 2013)
MANCHESTER - Mayor Ted Gatsas is set to present his budgets for the next fiscal year at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Tuesday.
Gatsas will lay out his proposed spending plans for the city and schools a month earlier than he did last year.
In a statement, Gatsas said: "I feel that it's of the greatest importance that we begin this budget deliberation sooner rather than later. It is my hope that we can finalize this budget well before late June. To help meet this goal it's imperative to deliver my presentation to the Aldermen well before the guidelines set forth in the City Charter."
The tax cap will limit any budget increases over last year to 2.17 percent, the average rise in the Consumer Price Index.
Last year, the mayor proposed budgets of $133 million for city services and $150 million for the Manchester School District.
Superintendent Thomas Brennan has proposed a tax cap budget of $155 million for the schools, and a "school approval" budget of $160 million, which aims to ensure that the district meets minimum state standards.
The school board is expected to propose its own budget, however, the aldermen have ultimate authority over establishing the budgets, and they have traditionally deferred to the mayor on the matter.
The budget presentation will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the aldermen's meeting, following a public comment period.
The mayor declined to release or discuss the budgets prior to next week.
tsiefer@unionleader.com
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JOHN ALEXION said:
No doubt Ted will come to another devastating budget number thereby proving yet again it's a race to the bottom. Mr. Superintendant, it's your budget, not the mayors, if you feel that your budget of $160 million is what is needed then you go with that number, it's up to the aldermen to override the tax cap if they believe that they need to go over the amount allowed. I think Mr. Superintendant that you've more than demonstrated the need and perhaps the aldermen better be open minded.
(Report Abuse)
February 14, 2013 8:15 am
John Vien said:
Yes, Mr. Superintendent. John Alexion is correct. Don't worry about what the tax payers can afford, do what is right for you and the teachers union. This is now the New Amerika. Spend what you like and leave the bill to our children.
(Report Abuse)
February 14, 2013 1:29 pm
PETER SORRENTINO said:
Will the property owners of Manchester continue to be taxed at a higher rate for city services than any city in NH? Will they continue to be taxed at a lower rate for schools than any city? Will the taxpayers continue to tolerate their elected representatives spending most of their time debating the lowest rate and giving little attention to the highest rate? Already the Union Leader and two posts prior to this one have focused on the lowest rate and paid little attention to the highest. Will Mayor Gatsas continue to feign concern for the taxpayers by relentlessly focusing on the lowest rate and pay little attention and minimal, if any, public debate of the highest rate? For people who love Manchester and concerned taxpayers, this annual charade is getting old.
(Report Abuse)
February 14, 2013 5:31 pm
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