KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Appearing Tuesday morning on Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK, N.H. State Sen. Donovan Fenton outlined the growing pressure on local property taxes and previewed a community forum set for Wednesday at the Keene Public Library.

Speaking with host Dan Mitchell, Fenton pointed to what he described as a widening gap between state support and local costs, arguing that municipalities are increasingly being forced to make up the difference through property taxes.

In Keene, he noted, a roughly 3.4 percent increase in the school budget could translate into a projected 12% jump in the school portion of property taxes — a disparity he said reflects a broader structural issue.

“The state is pulling back its share,” Fenton said, emphasizing the need for a more transparent conversation about how services like education, infrastructure, and public safety are funded.

Fenton will moderate and participate in a town hall scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow at Heberton Hall (The Keene Public Library annex). The panel will include city, county, and school officials, along with representatives from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, all focusing on how state budget decisions are affecting local taxpayers.

Beyond education funding, the discussion is expected to cover several pressure points, including road and bridge maintenance, county nursing home funding, and the financial stability of higher education institutions like Keene State College.

Fenton also touched on the role of federal funding, noting it sets a baseline in some areas — particularly special education — but does not replace the need for consistent state investment.

The forum is designed to be nonpartisan, with organizers encouraging residents to ask questions and better understand how decisions at the State House translate into local tax bills. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions during the event.

Fenton said the goal is to give voters the information they need to engage with elected officials and advocate for what he called a “fairer balance” in funding responsibilities.

Listen to the full interview: