Budget Hearing for Multiple Departments – New Bedford City Council – May 28, 2026

The New Bedford City Council held a budget hearing on May 28, 2026, starting at 6:04 PM and ending at 9:00 PM. The hearing covered the proposed FY27 budgets for the Health and Human Services Department, Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, Assessors, Solicitor's Office, Mayor's Office, and Labor Relations. Discussions focused on departmental consolidations, position eliminations, reclassifications, service reductions, and the administration's efforts to address a $32 million deficit. Councilors expressed frustration with the lack of detailed budget information and raised concerns about transparency, the timing of layoffs, and the justification for certain executive positions.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the hearing.

Discussion Items

• Health and Human Services (HHS) Consolidation: Director Stephanie Sloan presented the newly aligned HHS, consolidating five departments (Health, Licensing, Community Services, Veterans Services, Parks & Recs programming). The consolidation resulted in $1.2 million in cost reductions through layoffs, budget cuts, and COLA/step freezes. Thirteen positions were eliminated: one from Licensing, one from Parks/Recs/Beaches, one from Veterans, and the majority from Community Services. Youth programming (Saturday Academy, after-school programs) was cut, saving approximately $1 million. Councilors questioned the operational plan, missing positions, and the impact on services. Director Sloan noted that the finance and operations manager position (M12) came from Parks & Recs, and that the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities and Human Rights Commission would be moved under HHS with new executive directors to be appointed.
• Commission for Citizens with Disabilities: Executive Director Cynthia Walquist presented a budget that relies on parking violation revenue. Programs include the Clear Path snow removal program (20 homeowners), fresh start furniture delivery, architectural review, exercise instructors, and counseling. The supply line increased to $4,500 for a new snowblower.
• Assessors: Director Sherry reported improvements: next-day deed processing, up-to-date mapping, assumption of plan review from Engineering, and a reduction in Appellate Tax Board cases from 127 to 41. Real estate abatement applications dropped from 441 to 210. Contractual services were reduced by $89,000, with an additional $31,000 reduction expected in future years. Councilor Burgo noted reclassifications: project coordinator (grade I) replacing office assistant III (grade E), and administrative manager (M9) replacing administrative coordinator (M5). Director Sherry stated these were enhancements from last year held up by contract ratification, not new positions.
• Solicitor's Office: Solicitor Eric Jakes presented a level-funded budget. Outside counsel costs include $52,000 for Sullivan's Ledge EPA matters, $14,800 for AMD golf course zoning, and $30,000 for insurance consultant Alero Group. The office handled 1,100 FOIA requests in 2025, up from 272 in 2022. Enhancements requested (new attorney, reclassifications, judgment claims increase to $400,000) were not funded. Court judgments line is $300,000, with a $250,000 discrepancy corrected (a $150,000 transfer for parallel products defense was not included). Liability insurance premiums increased 5% year-over-year.
• Mayor's Office: Chief of Staff Neil Mello presented a $921,000 budget, $74,000 below what it would have been without personnel savings (COLA/step freezes, one position reduced from step 6 to step 1). The office has six staff. Enhancements were not requested. Councilors questioned the need for two chiefs of staff (Mello and COO Christina Conley) and the mayor's role. Mello defended the structure, stating the mayor works extensive hours and that the office is lean relative to other cities. Councilor Carney pushed back, noting councilors also work full-time jobs and attend evening meetings.
• Labor Relations: Director Jose Govea presented a budget with a slight decrease, driven by renegotiated EAP services. He addressed reclassification questions: the M12 in Parks & Recs was created due to increased grant responsibilities; the three community relations specialist positions (now six total) were reclassifications based on job duties. He confirmed that all reclassifications require the mayor's final approval. Councilor Burgo requested a full list of all reclassifications and a breakdown of where Parks & Recs positions went. Councilor Gomes criticized the thin budget book, arguing it hides detail compared to past years.
• CFO Response: Bob Edstrom explained that the budget book was streamlined to focus on zero-based budgeting for purchase of services (5-2 accounts) and to move performance measures to the digital OpenGov platform. He acknowledged that the font size is small but offered to provide landscape versions or digital access. He defended the level of detail, stating no other Massachusetts municipality provides such itemized contract information.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken during the hearing. The council will continue budget hearings.
• Councilor Burgo formally requested a list of all employee reclassifications from the past fiscal year, with justifications, to be provided by the Personnel Director.
• The President requested a chart tracking all eliminated positions and transfers across departments.
• The council will receive a breakdown of the Veterans’ $1.4 million contractual services line.
• The administration will provide a list of all reclassifications, including those in the Assessor’s office, Health Department, and Parks & Recs.
• The CFO will consider producing landscape-format exhibits for easier reading.
• The next budget hearing is scheduled for a future date.