City Council

Minutes were approved on May 27, 2025, by the Laconia City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 6:00 P.M. 5/12/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Haynes led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following councilors: Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert, and Councilor Felch. Absent: Councilor Cheney Mayor Hosmer stated 5 councilors were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager 6. PRESENTATIONS 6.A. Department Budget Presentation - School Department 6.A.i. Laconia School District budget overview Jennifer Anderson Vice Chair at large for Laconia School Board and Nick Grenon School Board Chair Ward 5 made their introduction. Diane Clary, Business Administrator, stated that the school district received Esser Funds since 2020 and it ended in September 2024. The funding challenge for this year is the cut to State Funding which is approximately $1.2 Million Dollars, impacting free and reduced families and the overall evaluation increases. They are having trouble getting parents to fill out the forms. To honor their contractual needs, they cut 5 positions that saved $500,000; 2 positions filled and 3 positions that were unfilled, also planning on replacing retirees, schools are spending $20,000 to order supplies this year to supplement next year. There will be 2.6 % increase overall. It is tax cap compliant Councilor Haynes asked if there were actual people cut? Ms. Clary stated only 2 actual people were cut, the 3 other positions were unfilled this year. Councilor Soucy asked what SWEPT means. It’s a formula that gives funding from the state.  Councilor Haynes asked if there were actual people cut? Ms. Clary stated only 2 actual people were cut, the 3 other positions were unfilled this year. Councilor Soucy asked what SWEPT means. It’s a formula that gives funding from the state. Councilor Haynes asked about the adequate education formula, how is it calculated? Ms. Clary explained that there are about 10 items that go into it, the top two moving factors are the number free and reduced lunch and the equalization valuation of the community. It’s an involved procedure. Councilor Felch asked what the percentage is free and reduced lunch, it is at 50%, it used to be 70%. Councilor Soucy asked how does the evaluation affects funding? What is the population of the schools? About 1800. Councilor Hoffman asked if there has been any budgetary impact from the education freedom accounts. It does affect the adequacy formula because we do lose students, but very few are taking advantage of that in Laconia right now. Mayor Hosmer asked for clarification on the percentage of free and reduced lunch and whether if everyone took advantage of filling out the application it would increase. Ms. Clary stated that there is over $50,000 in owed money for school lunch. They do not deny a child to eat. 50% are at or below the poverty line and it is believed to be more than that. Adequacy & Special Education- Out of district placement is typically court ordered- we try to keep everyone in the district. There are out of district placements that they receive a bill for 17 students are placed. There are some that are aging out, and some are returning to the district. How long have we been putting money into these accounts? We are using reserve accounts to offset the budget. How long did it take to create this budget? They began in early January. Are you familiar with HB675? Retained in committee but did pass the House. Mayor Hosmer thanked them for everything that have done and has full trust in the current process. 7. Any other business that may come before the Council 8. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 6:22 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk