Board of Aldermen — 2/20/18 Page 5
But | want our budgeting to be accountable to the people who pay the bills, so | am announcing tonight
that this year | will be proposing the FY 2019 budget in mid-March rather than mid-May, two months
earlier than city budgets of a few years ago. This will give the Board of Aldermen and our citizens
additional time to examine and comment on our budget. The budget | will be proposing will be fiscally
responsible and will maintain the quality of the services that Nashuans rely upon.
The Challenge of State “Downshifting”
One of the city’s biggest budgetary challenges remains downshifting by the state legislature. It seems
that whenever there is a budget problem or wish at the state level, the solution is to impose additional
costs on or to reduce revenue to cities and towns. We call this “downshifting.” In order to control
property taxes, the state government needs to be a better partner of cities and towns. There are many
examples | could give you, but a big one is the cost of pensions for city employees. The city’s
contribution to the state-mandated and run pension fund has increased from $8 million to $23 million
over 10 years. The main causes for this increase are the state’s mismanagement of and recapitalization
of the pension system, and the state’s decision to breach its commitment to pay 35% of the annual
pension costs for municipal workers.
There was just a bill in the legislature, HB 413, that would partially make good on the state’s obligation by
funding 15% — as opposed to the original promise of 35% — of municipal pension costs. This initiative
would save Nashua taxpayers $3.4 million per year. However, the House voted by 6 votes to kill the
15% initiative, and then a reconsideration motion failed by a single vote. A majority of Nashua legislators
voted for HB 413, but | am sorry to say that some of our own representatives voted against the bill. If our
own delegation had voted unanimously for HB 413, it would have passed by 10 votes. The defeat of the
15% initiative means higher property taxes for all Nashuans.
Our Schools Are Critical
We cannot talk about the state of our city without recognizing the importance of our schools. Families
must have confidence that their kids will get the education they need to succeed in life. Employers need
to Know our graduates have the skills to perform in the workplace. Last fall, we opened full-day
kindergarten for 5-year-olds at all twelve elementary schools. And our students are excelling. In Nashua
we have more students acing Advanced Placement courses than in any other community in New
Hampshire.
Elm Street Middle School teams dominated the recent New Hampshire robotics tournament. The
Nashua South Math Team has been New Hampshire SMASH math champs for 9 years in a row. Main
Dunstable’s Destination Imagination Team — an afterschool activity that builds STEM skills — advanced to
the global finals. Nashua South won Public TV’s quiz show the Granite State Challenge two years in a
row.
We also have new direction, stability and purpose in our schools. Two years ago, our top three
professional school leaders departed, leaving those vital positions vacant. We now have Dr. Jahmal
Mosley in place for at least the next four years. Dr. Mosley is bringing strong leadership and direction to
our schools, and | am confident that he will take our schools to new heights.
