MANCHESTER, N.H.- Manchester Alderman have once again failed to approve a city budget for fiscal year 2027 after an effort to override the city’s tax cap fell short.
Tuesday evening the board spent 4 hours deliberating a budget proposed by Aldermen Jim Burkush and June Trisciani that comes in $993,318.28 less, and features a 7.78% increase in taxes.
According to current records, Manchester’s tax cap allows for a 3 % increase in the next fiscal year, which translates to around $8.1 million, while Burkush’s proposed budget increases taxes by $221 million in new property taxes and comes after fellow Aldermen Ed Sapienza and Crissy Kantor sharded a proposed budget which came in under the tax cap.
However, Alderman Burkush highlighted how his proposal’s efforts benefit the community, including $238 million for local schools, funding to cover new contracts for the Manchester Police patrolmen and supervisor’s unions and also allows the City’s library to keep the West Branch location open.
But Burkush’s version also cuts $150,000 from the City Fire Department’s operating budget.
In a final vote of 9 to 5 Burkush and Trisciani were dealt a defeat.
Following Tuesday’s meeting the board will return to the topic this Tuesday and if need be, could extend talks in the event Mayor Jay Ruias vetos the agreed upon budget
