Mayor Jay Ruais’ Response to Education Funding for Manchester in the budget passed by the Committee of Conference
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais released the following statement today:
“I recognize the difficult nature of this budget cycle, and appreciate the need to equitably distribute education dollars across the entire state. I'd like to provide some important background information on our School District Budget here in Manchester.
In the FY26 budget the Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed on June 3rd, we included $127,818,908 in State Adequacy Education Dollars.
According to the State Senate’s numbers, when the school budget is built next year, the District will need to include $115,247,161 for State Adequacy Education Dollars.
That is a cut of $12,571,747 to the School District with the highest enrollment and the students and families with the greatest needs.
To be clear, our enrollment is no longer in decline. This year in fact, we leveled off. As you know, like most entities, the majority of our dollars are spent on salaries and benefits. This year, we reduced the Manchester School District’s budget request by $8 million, while still allocating an additional $3.5 million.
As a result of our own belt tightening, we eliminated 28 funded vacancies, among other cost saving measures, saving millions of dollars. There are no more vacant positions like this to eliminate.
Contractually, we are legally obligated to meet previous commitments made, and while we can build a plan to further reduce spending, there is no plan that does not include eliminating teachers.
The bottom line is, for every million dollars in reductions, we can anticipate having to eliminate 15-17 positions. Assuming no other cost saving measures, a reduction like this would result in the elimination of between 150-200 positions.
The City of Manchester stands ready to work with the Legislature to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students and families.”
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Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
We’re excited to announce that construction for the installation of new park lighting at Derryfield Park will begin on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 and will continue until the end of July.
Please note the following important updates:
Temporary Road Closure: On Wednesday, June 18th, the park road will be briefly closed in the morning for construction purposes. We anticipate minimal disruptions and will work efficiently to ensure everything is back on track.
Access to Park: If additional closures are needed, all roads and areas of the park will remain open after 5 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends as construction progresses.
We appreciate your patience as we work to improve Derryfield Park, and we’re looking forward to the enhancements that will benefit our community for years to come.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Feasibility Study for Raising the Level of Lake Massabesic by One Foot Ongoing
June 10, 2025
The State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service (NHDES) is working closely with the Manchester Water Works and the Turner Group to evaluate the feasibility of raising the dam spillway of Lake Massabesic by one foot.
The purpose of this project is to provide the ability for the lake to store more drinking water for potential future use by New Hampshire communities impacted by drinking water contamination.
Impacts to private property owners and infrastructure are currently being assessed to determine what modifications may be necessary to address potential flooding impacts.
Questions about this project may be directed to watershed@manchesternh.gov.
Ahead of the Phish concerts at the SNHU Arena from June 20th through 22nd, the Manchester Police Department, in conjunction with City partners, would like to provide valuable and pertinent information regarding: street closures, vendor operations, including access areas and hours, set-up, permitting for goods and/or food and beverages.
For complete information, including vendor licensing and permit information and temporary food permits, please see link below.
Click Here for the full information and complete details
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced no CSO activations during the past 12 hours.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
HOW DO I GET A TEMPORARY PHISH PEDDLER/VENDOR LICENSE FOR THE PHISH EVENT? Licenses must be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH. Contact is Tony Battistelli, Licensing Coordinator at 603-792-6636 or licensing@manchesternh.gov.
DEADLINE FOR OBTAINING A LICENSE: Friday, June 20 at 1 PM
HOW MUCH IS THE LICENSE? The fee is $225 and covers Friday through Sunday. We accept cash, check or credit card and our office is open Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM.
Please be advised that the City of Manchester has experienced CSO activations due to heavy rainfall and corresponding high flows.
For more detailed CSO discharge information please go to EPD's website at:
https://www.manchesternh.gov/csomap
Thank you
Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve City Budget for FY26
New spending plan passes overwhelmingly
Supports roads, first responders, city employees while putting taxpayers first
MANCHESTER, NH – In an overwhelming vote, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed the city budget Tuesday night. When including the General Fund, Transit, Overlay and Veterans Exemptions, total expenditures are $201.36 million. For the second year in a row, this budget comes further under the tax cap than any previous tax cap budget. Highlights include support for roads, first responders, and essential services, while putting our taxpayers first.
“Budgets are about making tough choices, reaching compromise and finding balance. Every budget presents unique challenges, but covering essential services in a cost-effective manner is always the goal. That is exactly what our new budget for FY26 delivers,” said Mayor Jay Ruais. “This is a reality-based budget, it supports our roads, first responders, and delivers essential services while protecting taxpayers. It also enshrines our new fiscally responsible compensation study, bringing our city employees and all of those whose contracts were up, to market rate pay which will help tremendously with retention and recruitment as well as less overtime costs. This means better service delivery for our city residents. The conversation in City Hall is squarely focused on how few dollars we can spend, without crossing that red line into cutting essential services”
Appropriations for FY26 on the city side total $201.36 million. The previously passed budget for the Manchester School District came in at $237.9 million. Over the last two fiscal years, the Manchester School District has seen an increase of $11 million between local and state funds, while at the same time, their requests have been reduced by $12.2 million.
Ruais concluded saying, “We started the budget process back in January. I want to thank all of the aldermen who had a hand in the process, especially Aldermen Pat Long, Jim Burkush and Bill Barry for leading the effort on the Aldermanic side. They helped build a successful consensus through collaboration and compromise. We could not have reached this point without their efforts.”
The Mayor offered the following highlights for the FY26 budget:
- Comes 1.82% under the Tax Cap set at 4.27%
- $7 million for road improvements
- $1.2 million increase to Manchester Police Department
- $1.16 Million in HOME Funds to finalize Pearl Street Lot project and bring 125 units of Affordable Housing to city
- Includes $1 million in savings
- Rejects over $900,000 in spending requests that would have increased the tax rate
- $300,000 to retrofit city playgrounds, $300,000 toward paving parks, $250,000 in deferred maintenance for parks and $150,000 in park lighting.
- $500,000 for sidewalk repairs and expansion
- Through the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Funds:
- $41,000 to Meals on Wheels
- $10,000 to Office of Youth Services Summer Youth Programs
- $9,000 to Child Advocacy Center
- $9,000 to Big Brothers and Sisters
- $14,500 to CASA
- $25,000 to Easterseals
- $9,700 to Girls Inc.
- $10,000 to Salvation Army
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