KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Residents and regional leaders are being invited to weigh in on growing financial challenges facing local communities during an upcoming public forum in Keene.

Organized in collaboration with Donovan Fenton and city officials, the town hall is scheduled for May 6 at Keene Public Library. The discussion will focus on what local leaders describe as mounting pressure on municipal budgets, driven by reductions in state aid and shifting financial responsibilities onto cities and towns.

According to organizers, communities like Keene are increasingly being forced to rely on local property taxes to make up for declining state contributions, particularly in education funding. While the proposed school budget for the 2026–2027 academic year reflects a relatively modest increase, reduced state aid is expected to result in a significantly larger jump in the school portion of property taxes.

Recent court decisions have also raised concerns about whether current state funding levels meet constitutional requirements for education, further intensifying the debate.

The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments, followed by a panel discussion at 6 p.m. moderated by Fenton. Panelists are expected to include Keene City Manager Elizabeth Ferland, Cheshire County Administrator Chris Coates, School Superintendent Robert Malay, and New Hampshire Municipal Association Executive Director Margaret Byrnes.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions and comments for panelists to address during a public input session later in the evening.

City and regional leaders say the event is intended to help residents better understand why property taxes continue to climb, even as local spending increases remain relatively restrained. They also hope it will encourage broader conversations about how the state and municipalities share financial responsibility moving forward.