Keene · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Keene public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
SAFER Fire Staffing Grant Acceptance
The Fire Chief was scheduled to present the Fiscal Year 2025 SAFER grant award for fire and emergency response staffing. Accepting it could bolster fire department staffing at little local cost.
City Manager's tax increase limit — CPI index change
The City's share of the property tax rate would rise $0.91 per thousand — about 6.7%. The budget stays under the state cap but leans on $3.8 million of one-time fund balance that won't be available in future years.
State 'downshifting' burden on local property taxpayers
The state keeps shifting costs — Medicaid, retirement contributions — onto local property taxpayers. Keene's resolution, now with hard numbers, is meant to rally other municipalities and land on the Governor's and every legislator's desk.
Revo Casino donation for police records system
A $13,788.35 host-community donation from Revo Casino is proposed to help pay for replacing the police department's Exacom system, which records all phone and radio traffic in and out of the department.
Homelessness Funding
Keene’s mayor is asking New Hampshire for more homelessness prevention money as demand rises. The decision could determine how many at-risk residents get help before they end up on the street.