Special to the Times-Free Press
Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata joined her colleagues in voting unanimously for an omnibus amendment package on the FY26 operating budget. Following the Council’s vote on the amended operating budget, it is now on Mayor Michelle Wu’s desk for acceptance, rejection, or amendments. The Council’s amendments totaled 0.16% of the total operating budget appropriation. The Council also voted on the capital budget and the Boston Public Schools budget both of which were passed with a majority vote. The Council may only reject or pass the Boston Public Schools and capital budget without amendment power.
“Today, we reaffirmed the Council’s role as an independent check that strengthens our collective ability to deliver for Bostonians,” said Councilor Coletta Zapata. “With complete alignment, the Boston City Council has once again exercised its expanded budgetary authority for the operating budget with diligence and fiscal responsibility, carefully utilizing unspent funds to meet the moment. After countless hours of deliberation, we have crafted amendments that reflect the needs of our constituents—investing in essential city services, housing stability, youth opportunity, community safety, and much more.”
PARTIAL LIST OF OPERATING BUDGET INVESTMENTS:
• $25,000 for increased, ongoing maintenance of Puopolo Langone Park in the North End
• $350,000 for access to legal counsel for school families in immigration proceedings
• $275,000 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to reduce waitlist backlog
• $1,600,000 to Mayor’s Office of Housing for city housing vouchers
• $300,00 for to Mayor’s Office of Housing for home ownership vouchers
• $50,000 for the Tenant Stabilization Fund
• $1,000,000 for Youth Employment & Opportunity for youth jobs
• $700,000 to the Boston Public Health Commission for increased support for mental health services and emergency preparedness
• $500,000 for college and career readiness grants
• $450,000 for access to counsel for residents facing eviction proceedings
• $300,000 for storefront revitalization grants for small businesses
• $200,000 for Age Strong programming for seniors
• $100,000 for capacity to distribute 225 new liquor licenses
• $100,000 for the Pest Control Pilot
• $100,000 for External Fair Housing Tester program
• $100,000 for Finance Commission capacity
• $100,000 for increased capacity to the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement to ensure support, advocacy, and visibility
• $75,000 for public safety youth summer weekend programming
• $550,000 for the creation of a Flexible Aid Fund for veterans
• $200,000 to increase Participatory Budget awards
• $100,000 for the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program
• New and improved trash collection contracts, which include additional labor support, enhanced truck reliability standards, and updated technology requirements
The operating budget is an approved annual spending plan allotted to both City departments and central budgets. The budget supports the cost of the day-to-day operations of City government, such as public education, streets and sidewalks, parks, and public safety. The operating budget is funded primarily based on an estimate of annual recurring revenues. The City’s revenue comes from: property tax, state aid, local revenue (including department revenue and excise taxes), and non-recurring revenue. The City budget is a statement of our values. This budget has welcomed investments in the delivery of basic city services including Public Works, the Transportation Department (BTD), Parks, Inspectional Services (ISD), Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), and many other vital departments.
Partial List Of Capital
Budget Investments:
• Streets Reconstruction and Resurfacing FY25-27 – Locations across East Boston, Charlestown, the North End, and Wharf District this summer.
• Sidewalk and Ramp Reconstruction FY 25-27 – Program for sidewalk reconstruction and repair including responses to 311 requests as as well as planned reconstruction of brick and concrete sidewalks for the 2025, 2026, 2027 construction seasons
• 311 Modernization – Upgrading front and back ends of BOS:311 system to modernize architecture for improved usability and access improvements
• Street Lighting Assessment – System-wide structural assessment on all City street lighting infrastructure
• Coastal Resilience Reserve – Funding reserve that will be used to provide matching funds as needed for state, federal, or other grant programs, and to support budget increases of coastal resilience projects that may be necessary
• Security and life safety system upgrades at various schools
• Technology Infrastructure – Upgrades to technology infrastructure in support of 21st century learning
• East Boston safe multimodal corridors – Improve safety and accessibility along key north-south (Meridian/Border Streets) and east-west (Bennington/Saratoga Streets) corridors through quick-build pilot interventions, utilizing awarded federal funds.
• Retaining Wall Repairs – Make repairs to retaining walls at Copp’s Hill Terrace in the North End
• Climate resilience solutions – Long Wharf, Border Street, Mary Ellen Welch Greenway, and the East Eagle Street Shoreline
• Sullivan Square – Engineering and design services to provide corridor-wide transportation improvements. State and federal funding anticipated
• Court renovations – Program to rehabilitate tennis, basketball, and street hockey courts citywide
• Design and construct road, sidewalk, and signal improvements in Charlestown’s Lost Village
• McLean Playground – Basketball court and surrounding area improvements to enhance accessibility and site access
• Nazzaro Community Center – Design and construct a new North End Community Center
• Doherty Park accessibility improvements – Design a welcoming, accessible pedestrian plaza on Bunker Hill Street
Partial List Of Boston Public Schools Operating And
Capital Investments:
• Modern facilities upgrades and school safety improvements (Public Announcement (PA) systems, doors, outside perimeter cameras, etc)
• Holistic family and students support with more resources for Social Workers and Family Liaisons
• Early literacy materials, training and tutoring
• Upcoming Charlestown High School Family and Community Engagement on general education seats
• Increased inclusion model resources and support for teachers and paraprofessionals
• Adequate athletic transportation coverage for student athletes
• Standardizing climate and environmental justice curriculum committee for K-12 grade levels
The Boston City Council commenced its budget hearings in February, and all hearings were led by Councilor Brian Worrel (D4), chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. This cycle is the fourth time the Boston City Council can reject, reduce, pass, or amend line items (i.e., accounts such as personnel, contracted services, equipment, etc.) in the City’s Operating Budget.
To prepare for the budget cycle, Coletta Zapata hosted a round of listening sessions and budget town halls across the district to gather feedback from residents about their priorities for the fiscal year operating and capital budget. This is a partial list of investments. For a more comprehensive list of each budget, visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/budget.
For additional information please contact the Office of Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata by phone at (617) 635-3200 or by email at [email protected].