City's budget, requiring $144m in taxes, up for public review

Nashua taxpayers will have a chance to comment on the proposed fiscal 2010 budget this week.

Also this week, the Board of Aldermen’s Budget Review Committee has scheduled two budget “wrap-up” sessions, in which members will recommend increases or cuts to spending lines.

The committee’s work is required before the budget goes to the Board of Aldermen for final approval.

The general fund budget proposal totals $217.9 million, up 2.3 percent over the current year. The total budget, which includes special revenue and enterprise funds, totals $251.5 million.

To fund the budget, the city would need to raise $144.4 million in taxes, an increase of just less than 1 percent from the current year, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau said.

The bottom line, according to Lozeau: The tax rate may rise, but not many residents’ tax bills would, because property values are expected to drop by an average of 12 percent following a revaluation.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Nashua High School North auditorium.

Budget Review Committee wrap-up sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the City Hall aldermanic chamber.

The full budget is posted on the city’s Web site, www.gonashua.com.

To find the budget, click on “financial reports” under quick links on the left-hand side of the home page. Then click on “budgets” and finally, “FY 2010 mayor’s proposed budget.”