December 4, 2009
 
In tough times, town budgets still increase over 2009 expenditures
Town departments receive overall 11.8% increase

GOFFSTOWN - On Tuesday night, the Goffstown Budget Committee made recommendations which resulted in noticeable increases for 2010 over projected expenditures for 2009.  The committee, after spirited exchanges from both sides of the aisle, agreed to what amounted to an overall 11.8% increase across town departments.

The increases are substantial when considering last year's expenditures and the current spending pace for 2009.  At the current rate of spending, the Town's six departments will expend $12.6M by the end of the year.  The Budget Committee increased that total for next year by approximately $1.5M.

A breakdown of those six departments:

DPW:  Goffstown's public works department spent $4.18M in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $4.03M in 2009, a slight reduction. The Budget Committee increased DPW's budget to $4.55M for 2010.

POLICE:  Goffstown's police department spent $3.63M in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $3.64M in 2009, about the same. The Budget Committee increased the police budget to $4.05M for 2010.

FIRE:  Goffstown's fire department spent $2M in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $1.96M in 2009, a slight reduction.  The Budget Committee increased the fire budget to $2.27M for 2010.

ADMIN:  The town's administration department spent $2.34M in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $2.04M in 2009, a slight reduction.  The Budget Committee increased the town administration budget to $2.22M for 2010.

LIBRARY:  Goffstown's library department spent $599K in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $622K in 2009, a slight increase.  The Budget Committee increased the library budget to $664K for 2010.

PARKS & REC:  Our parks & recreation department spent $343K in 2008 and is on a pace to spend $49K in 2009, a slight increase.  The Budget Committee increased the parks & rec budget to $380K for 2010.

Although the above figures reflect increases for all town departments, the Budget Committee lowered the requested amounts for public works, police and fire. The town's administration budget, along with the library and pakrs & recreation budgets, were approved as recommended by the Board of Selectmen, without adjustments.