Budget Review Committee Meeting – June 3, 2026: FY2027 Budget Deliberations and Proposed Office of Strategic Communications

The Budget Review Committee met on June 3, 2026 (the meeting was called to order on June 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:36 p.m.) to consider the proposed FY2027 city budget. The committee reviewed the Economic Development budget, discussed the creation of a new Office of Strategic Communications, and examined corrections to the budget via the goldenrod copy. The committee voted to table the budget (docket 26-028) for further discussion.

Discussion Items

Economic Development Budget (Director Liz Hanum)

• Director Hanum presented the economic development budget, noting that the main change is the addition of a marketing and public relations line item for a business recruitment plan. The budget is proposed to be level-funded from the current year, with corrections to restore a $129,000 line item (originally zeroed out) in the goldenrod copy.
• The business recruitment strategy will be informed by a skills gap analysis (nearly complete, three-month study) and will target small industries (25 or fewer employees) due to limited land availability. Downtown will receive specific focus to attract foot traffic.
• Other funds support "Activate Nashua" programming, real estate development, and consulting services ($25,000 level funded). The consulting services line will be used for a business recruitment strategy and marketing collateral.
• Questions from committee members: Alderman Kelly asked about spending; Director Hanum noted that $30,000 was spent on barriers (now handled by DPW), $2,500 on duck materials (Make It Labs donated labor), and other items. Alderman Senat asked about the timeline for the skills gap analysis; it is expected to be presented to PEDC shortly. Alderman Sullivan asked about citywide recruitment; Director Hanum confirmed it is citywide. Alderman Johnson raised concerns about the Broad Street Parkway area and the need for skilled jobs. The discussion also included the small business revolving loan fund and the financial empowerment center (RFP received no responses).

Proposed Office of Strategic Communications (Chief of Staff Megan Carron)

• Megan Carron presented a proposal for a new Department of Strategic Communications with a budget of $122,211 (reduced to $87,211 in the goldenrod copy due to a $30,000 salary reduction, funding a half-year position at $50,000). The office would start with one Strategic Communications Manager to develop and implement a master communications plan.
• The goal is to centralize communications currently dispersed across departments (DPW, public health, mayor's office, transit) to improve consistency and effectiveness. The position would not replace existing communications specialists but coordinate them.
• Committee members debated the proposal. Alderman Sullivan questioned the priority given the school district's budget cuts. Alderman Johnson expressed concern about new positions while unaffiliated employee raises were revoked. Alderman Kelly and Alderman Johnson suggested a communications audit/plan by a consultant before hiring, to avoid creating another isolated position. Alderman Thibault noted the city's communications are poor and a single person is a start, but the timing is uncertain. Director Carron offered to research the cost of an audit and propose an alternative amendment.

Goldenrod Copy Amendments (CFO Don Enright)

• Don Enright explained the goldenrod copy corrections, which include $111,000 in general fund corrections (keying errors, process oversights, software upload errors) and a $177,500 decrease due to the decision not to purchase 14 Mulberry Street for a resource center. Total general fund decrease of $288,000. Additionally, a missed bond payment in the wastewater fund was adjusted.
• The corrections also restore the $129,000 economic development line item and adjust the Strategic Communications salary to half-year funding.
• Committee members expressed frustration with the number of errors and the confusion caused by multiple versions. Alderman Senat noted inconsistencies (e.g., salary cuts without corresponding benefit adjustments). Alderman Thibault suggested sending the budget back if such errors occur. Alderman Kelly and Alderman Senat asked for department heads to be present at the wrap-up session to answer questions.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to table the budget (docket 26-028): Alderman Thibault made a motion to remove the budget from the table, which passed unanimously. After presentations, a motion to table the budget again was made and carried (no opposition noted). The budget is tabled to the next meeting.
• No votes on specific items: The committee did not vote on the economic development budget or the Office of Strategic Communications; these will be considered at the wrap-up session.
• Future actions: Director Carron will research the cost of a communications audit/plan and propose an alternative amendment. The committee requested a clear explanation of the unaffiliated employee raise (ordinance 25-063) and its fiscal impact, to be distributed to the entire board.
• Wrap-up session: Scheduled for later in June, with department heads present to answer questions on the goldenrod copy changes.

Note: The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.