Breaking Down Dover's Budget: Schools, Executive, Finance and Welfare

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dover School District's Dr. William Harbron and CFO Michael Limanni about the FY26 school budget. They discuss the nearly $100 million budget (including $6-8 million in grants), with 70% allocated to wages. They explain how the budget aligns with goals like maintaining current services, enhancing academic programming, prioritizing mental health, and strengthening support services. Limanni clarifies common misconceptions about the tax cap and explains how state funding impacts the local budget.

Parker reviews the executive department budget, and then digs in to the Finance Department budget with Finance Director Dan Lynch, who outlines changes including a transition from contracted commercial appraisal services to in-house staff and plans for new voting machines. Lynch emphasizes how state statutes guide many of their operations, particularly in the City Clerk's and Assessing offices.

Finally, Parker speaks with Welfare Director David Balian about the public welfare budget. Balian explains how they analyze past spending, current trends, cost of living changes, political climate, and job market conditions to project future needs. He notes an increase in security deposit assistance requests and emphasizes their focus on housing loss prevention as a cost-effective strategy.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about the 1984 revival of hydroelectric power at Cochecho Falls, when Southern New Hampshire Hydroelectric developed a facility capable of generating 3 million kW annually. The facility continues to operate today, having received a new 40-year permit in 2023.