Executive Summary
The Ways & Means Committee held a hearing to review the FY27 budget for the Environment Department, the Office of Food Justice, and various revolving funds, including the first-time filing of the BERDO Revolving Fund. The administration presented a budget focused on 'climate and affordability,' achieving a 2% overall reduction directive by shifting some costs to revolving funds and freezing one position. Key discussions centered on the implementation of the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO), coastal and riverine flood resilience, and the impact of a $204,000 cut to the Office of Food Justice's contracted services amidst rising food insecurity.
Meeting Information
- Date: April 22, 2026, at 10:06 AM
- Governing Body: City Council - Ways & Means Committee
- Meeting Type: Budget Hearing
- Chair: Councilor Ben Weber
- Councilors Present: Ben Weber, Edward Flynn, Liz Breadon (Council President), Gabriela Coletta Zapata, Erin Murphy, John Fitzgerald, Miniard Culpepper, Brian Worrell.
- Panelists: Brian Sweat (Chief Climate Officer), Chris Osgood (Director of Office of Climate Resilience), Oliver Sellers-Garcia (Commissioner of Environment), Taisha Rogers (Finance Director), Aliza Wasserman (Director of Office of Food Justice).
Dockets and Budget Overview
The hearing addressed the following dockets related to the FY27 budget:
- Dockets #0733-0740 and #0744-0746: FY27 budgets for the Environment Department, the Office of Food Justice, and revolving funds including the Conservation Commission, Distributed Energy, and the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) fund.
- Budget Strategy: The Environment, Energy, and Open Space Cabinet proposed an aggregate 2% reduction in response to the Mayor's directive. This was achieved by shifting certain contract services to revolving funds and freezing one Environmental Policy Analyst position.
Environment Department and BERDO Implementation
- Budget Reduction: The Environment Department budget proposed a 2.1% reduction.
- BERDO Extension: The reporting deadline for the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) was extended from May 15 to August 15, 2026. Chief Brian Sweat stated: 'When we make a change to how compliance can be achieved, we give people 90 additional days to figure out if they want to take advantage of it.'
- Energy Savings: The Municipal Energy Unit projected $2.3 million in savings for FY27 through account reclassifications. Since FY15, the unit has saved $61.8 million in avoided electricity costs.
- Renewable Energy: The city completed solar installations on six buildings, adding 2 megawatts of capacity and saving an estimated $415,000 annually.
- Climate Action Plan: The 2030 Climate Action Plan, featuring 40 strategies for emissions reduction and climate justice, is scheduled for launch the following week.
Office of Climate Resilience (OCR)
- Focus Areas: Coordination of risk reduction for extreme heat, stormwater flooding, and coastal flooding.
- Capital Projects:
- Coastal Resilience Reserve: $75 million allocated for matching federal grants and long-term infrastructure.
- Charlestown Flood Risk Reduction: Infrastructure currently under construction along Main Street.
- Mattahan Urban Wild: Completion of a nine-acre restoration project.
- Heat Mitigation: Deployment of misting tents and shade structures via the Office of Emergency Management. The Boston Tree Alliance received $500,000 to expand tree planting on private property in low-canopy neighborhoods.
Office of Food Justice (OFJ) and Food Security
- FY27 Proposed Budget: $609,852 for personnel and $610,000 for contracted services.
- Contracted Services Cut: A reduction of approximately $204,000 (14%) in the contracted services line item. Director Aliza Wasserman noted that while no specific programs are being eliminated, the scale of some may be adjusted based on external funding availability.
- Participatory Budgeting: $500,000 was allocated via the FY26 participatory budgeting process for a 'neighborhood fresh food initiative.'
- Program Successes:
- Farmers Market Coupon Program: Distributed $420,000 in fresh food to low-income residents.
- Double Up Food Bucks: Provided over $1 million in discounts to SNAP shoppers since 2018.
- BPS Silver Status: Boston Public Schools earned 'Good Food Leader Silver' status for its procurement values.
Public Testimony Summary
- Greg Maynard (Boston Policy Institute): Noted the absence of the Office of Historic Preservation from the budget hearings and raised concerns regarding administrative interference in the Landmarks Commission.
- Elena Schreckenberger (ABCD): Reported that 40% of Massachusetts households experience food insecurity and urged the city to increase investment in food access centers.
- Alex Taubman (ABCD/Boston Food Access Council): Opposed cuts to discretionary spending for food programs, stating: 'Please support OFJ and Boston residents food security by reversing this cut.'
- Hassan Faruqi (Boston Climate Action Network): Supported the 5% increase in personnel services to maintain staff delivering critical climate services but emphasized that 'enough is never enough when it comes to climate action.'