Somerville Finance Committee Reviews FY27 Budget on June 9, 2026

The Somerville City Council Finance Committee met on June 9, 2026, to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The meeting, chaired by Councilor Ben Wheeler, began at 6:04 PM and adjourned at 9:43 PM. Present were Councilors Jon Link, Kristen Strezo, Emily Hardt, J.T. Scott, and Ben Wheeler. The meeting covered multiple departments, including Executive Administration, City Council, City Clerk, Licensing Commission, Finance divisions, and Operations & Systems. Several motions were laid on the table for further discussion on June 23, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting was called to order and quorum established. Procedural notes were given on how the hearing would function, including opportunities for motions for cuts or additional funding, which would be tabled until June 23, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were recorded during this session.

Discussion Items

• Executive Administration: Chief of Staff Sarah Anders introduced two new positions: community partnerships liaison and mayor's public liaison, funded by repurposing the Digital Innovation Officer position (which was never hired under the previous administration). Councilor Scott asked about the distinction between the Public Safety For All Program Manager (focused on community process) and the Police Accountability Program Director (overseeing the new civilian oversight board). Councilor Strezo asked about the reduction in the budget for badges, emblems, and trophies from $27,920 in FY25 to $4,000 proposed; Anders explained the line would be used for plaques, portraits, or trophies as needed.
• City Council: City Clerk Courtney Henderson presented the budget for council salaries and support staff. Councilor Link asked about past dues and memberships; Budget Director Mastrobuoni stated a misallocation in last year's budget had been corrected.
• City Clerk: Clerk Henderson discussed the loss of the Assistant City Clerk of Vital Services and efforts to maintain service levels. Councilor Hardt asked about part-time positions; Mastrobuoni clarified part-time non-benefited roles are not listed in the budget. Councilor Strezo asked about disincentivizing credit card use to reduce convenience fees ($3,500 proposed). Councilor Link expressed concern about using part-time positions to avoid providing benefits.
• Law Department: City Attorney Cindy Amara noted the office's role as internal counsel. Councilor Scott asked if the goal of implementing the City Charter was completed; Amara confirmed. Scott also asked if the School Committee voted on its budget before submission on June 4; Amara stated an opinion had been sent that day and that the budget could proceed.
• Licensing Commission: Clerk Henderson presented the budget for three commissioners. Councilor Strezo noted commissioners have not received a pay increase since 2012 despite increased workload (outdoor dining, cannabis licensing). Budget Director Mastrobuoni referenced a compensation study. Strezo made a motion to increase collective salaries to $15,180 (Chair $5,180, two commissioners $5,000 each). The motion was laid on the table until June 23.
• Finance:
  • Auditing: Director Ed Bean described the department's role. Councilor Scott asked about EFT payments; Treasurer Linda Dubuque said 24% of payments are via EFT, with a new vendor access system rolling out.
  • Grants: Director Kate Hartke noted a reduction in staff from three to two (one grant writer position eliminated while filled). Councilor Scott asked about the director/deputy director structure without direct reports; Hartke explained the deputy handles pre-award work. Councilor Wheeler asked if an additional person could pay for itself; Hartke said that model has not been explored.
  • Assessing: Chief Assessor Frank Golden said lower-value properties are selling more rapidly. Councilor Link asked about empty lab space; Golden noted assessed values have been declining for the last two years.
  • Treasurer/Collector: Treasurer Dubuque reported the Municipal Scholarship Fund at about $90,000, with 11 $2,000 scholarships awarded; the committee will explore increasing revenue in the fall.
  • Salary Contingency, PAYGO, Debt Service, etc.: Budget Director Mastrobuoni noted the city is in year two of a five-year lease for the Tufts Administration Building (TAB) at $2.1 million/year. The unfunded pension liability is $114.6 million as of January 2025, with full funding expected by 2033.
• Operations & Systems:
  • Constituent Services: Director Steve Craig reported 118,000 requests, up 1,000–5,000 year-over-year since 2021. Councilor Link asked about the after-hours 311 contract; Craig explained it covers telephone service during off-peak hours (118 hours/week receiving 15–17% of calls).
  • Elections: Commissioner Nick Salerno noted 56,000 voters and preparations for a large November election with 13 offices and up to 12 ballot questions. Salerno cited security measures including state computers and 10 drop boxes emptied daily.
  • Equity & Belonging: Director Catherine Nakato described the transition from the Department of Racial & Social Justice, with some functions (ADA coordinator, public safety implementation) moving to other departments. Councilor Scott confirmed the RSJ fund will still be administered by the new department; 65 applications were received. Councilor Wheeler asked about LGBTQ+ services in schools; Nakato said there is opportunity through partnerships.
  • People Operations: Director Anne Gill noted 264 hires in FY25 and 380 projected for FY26. The ADA coordinator position is moving to this department. Councilor Scott asked about the consolidation of HR Manager and Benefits Manager positions; Gill said one was vacated before budget submission.
  • SomerStat: Director Anna Gartsman said the program evaluation manager position is being in-housed (previously ARPA-funded) because of the need for standardized evaluations and institutional knowledge. Stationery costs ($20,000) cover printing and mailing of the Happiness Survey.
  • Technology & Innovation: CIO David Goodridge noted a five-year lease on network equipment is fully paid off; equipment is owned outright and up to date.

Key Outcomes

• A motion by Councilor Strezo to increase Licensing Commissioner salaries to $15,180 total was laid on the table, to be taken up on June 23, 2026.
• All motions for cuts or additional funding were tabled until the Finance Committee of the Whole meeting on June 23, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM by a roll call vote of 5–0.