Special City Council Meeting: FY26 Budget Cut Session - June 23, 2025

This special meeting was convened to vote on a series of proposed cuts to Fiscal Year 2026 budget appropriations. After over six hours of debate and roll call votes on more than 200 individual cut items, the council approved a total reduction of $10,238,450 across all funds, including the general fund, enterprise funds, and special revenue funds. The amended general fund appropriation was set at $452,890,321. The meeting concluded at 1:45 AM on June 24, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Council President Burgo ruled items 1306‑1309 out of order at the outset.
• Councilor Pereira gave an opening statement urging colleagues to act with confidence and reject "scare tactics" from the administration; he emphasized that this was the council's only chance to lower the tax rate.
• Councilor Oliver echoed these sentiments, criticizing the administration's narrative that cuts would harm services; he cited the example of securing private sponsors for fireworks after the council pushed back.
• Councilor Morad defended her across‑the‑board vacancy savings cuts, explaining that departments can manage hiring delays and that money can be restored later if needed.
• Councilor Morad and Councilor Oliver spoke on police department cuts, assuring that the cuts target vacant positions and overtime, not street‑level services.
• Councilor Morad argued that the fire department should contribute cuts, including eliminating an administrative manager position.
• Councilor Morad raised concerns about longevity pay, alleging a "sleazy" move by the administration to withhold it from elected officials.
• Councilor Oliver spoke on level‑funding the library, and Councilor Lopes noted that cutting library funding could jeopardize state matching funds.
• Councilor Pereira pointed out that library electricity costs were overbudgeted.
• Councilor Oliver proposed cutting the mayor's office salary increase, saying taxpayers cannot absorb a $50,000 increase in one year.
• Councilor Pereira supported reducing the police budget by $1 million, noting that only five net new officers are expected despite a new academy class.
• Councilor Morad criticized funding for open positions in public infrastructure and noted money for the MBTA bridge that the council has not approved.
• Councilor Giesta called for privatizing the zoo, arguing taxpayers should not subsidize it; Councilor Morad agreed but said a plan is needed before cutting salaries.
• Councilor Pereira supported reducing wastewater electricity spending, citing overestimates.
• Councilor Morad advocated for level‑funding health insurance, but Councilor Pereira opposed cuts because the budget is based on actual premiums.
• Councilor Pereira proposed cutting the school department budget by $1.7 million (later adjusted) to avoid over‑appropriating above minimum net school spending, awaiting state Cherry Sheet data.
• Councilor Morad and Councilor Giesta opposed continued funding for the Zeiterion Theatre, while Councilor Pereira noted the city has a contractual obligation.
• Councilor Morad pushed for cuts to water and wastewater budgets to mitigate rate increases of over 15% for residents.

Key Outcomes

• Total Cuts Approved: $10,238,450 across all funds.
• General Fund Amended Appropriation: $452,890,321 (amended, passed 10‑1).
• Airport Budget: Amended to $1,331,040 (passed 11‑0).
• Arts, Culture & Tourism Fund: $129,600 (passed 10‑1).
• Cable Access Enterprise Fund: Amended to $1,459,767 (passed 11‑0).
• CCDA (Commission for Citizens with Disabilities): $66,500 (passed 11‑0).
• Downtown Parking Fund: $1,113,112 (passed 10‑1).
• DPI / Wastewater Budget: Amended to $34,328,405 (passed 11‑0).
• DPI / Water Budget: Amended to $19,954,977 (passed 10‑1).
• Rules: Rule 1 was waived to extend the meeting past midnight; Rule 40 was waived for items B‑I.
• Quasi Committee of the Whole was discharged.
• Adjournment at 1:45 AM on June 24, 2025.