City Council

Executive Summary

The Boston City Council meeting on June 3, 2026, was highlighted by the contentious passage of the $1.73 billion Boston Public Schools (BPS) operating budget and the postponement of the overall City operating budget. While the BPS budget passed with an 8-5 vote, several councilors expressed deep concern over the elimination of 161 paraprofessional positions and other student-facing roles. The Council also approved a $4.4 billion five-year capital plan on its first reading, authorized over $69 million in supplemental appropriations for snow removal and BPS deficits, and designated the Swallow Mansion in Charlestown as a historic landmark. Additionally, the Council voted 10-3 to postpone the final vote on the City's FY27 operating budget until June 10, 2026, to allow for further deliberation.

Attendance and Invocation

Meeting Date: June 03, 2026
Governing Body: Boston City Council
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Presiding Officer: Council President Liz Breadon
Members Present: Liz Breadon, Gabriela Coletta Zapata, Miniard Culpepper, Sharon Durkan, John Fitzgerald, Edward Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, Enrique Pepén, Henry Santana, Benjamin Weber, Brian Worrell.
Invocation: Delivered by the City Clerk, emphasizing responsibilities, honesty, and equity.

Presentations and Proclamations

Recognition of BPS Paraprofessionals: Councilor Mejia presented a resolution honoring BPS paraprofessionals. Colleen Hart of the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) spoke, urging a "no" vote on the budget to save 161 positions slated for elimination.
Recognition of BPS Cross-Country Champions: Councilor Weber recognized the BPS cross-country team for winning the Division II State Championship, the first such win for BPS in over 100 years. Coach Ward and several student-athletes were present.

Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice

The Council voted on the following grants:

Docket 1083: Message and order authorizing the City to accept a $80,000 Community Safety Initiative grant from the Mass Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Funds will support strategies to reduce gun, gang, and youth violence. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 12-0).
Docket 1084: Message and order authorizing the City to accept a $39,000 grant for the transfer of a 1979 Coast Guard patrol boat (Marine 43) to the BPD Harbor Patrol Unit. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 12-0).
Docket 0969: Message and order authorizing the City to accept a $12,573,604 grant from FEMA for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Grant Program. Approximately $10 million is allocated for BPD overtime. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 12-0).

Landmarks and Preservation

Docket 1096: Designation of the Swallow Mansion at 33 Cordis Street, Charlestown, as a landmark. Councilor Durkan highlighted its Greek Revival architecture and historical significance to both the merchant elite and Irish immigrants. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 12-0).

Committee on Ways and Means - Supplemental Appropriations

The Council approved two major supplemental appropriations for the current fiscal year:

Docket 1030: $47,120,292 for snow and winter management to cover deficits from an extraordinary winter season. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 13-0).
Docket 1031: $22,845,672 for Boston Public Schools to cover projected deficits in health insurance ($18,087,750) and utilities ($4,757,922). Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 13-0).

FY27 Budget: OPEB and Capital Funds

Docket 0735: $40,000,000 appropriation for the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 13-0).
Docket 0736: $3,500,000 for the Capital Grant Fund to address transportation network impacts. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 13-0).
Docket 0737: $5,000,000 for the Surplus Property Disposition Fund for coastal resilience and decarbonization. Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 13-0).

FY27 Capital Budget (First Reading)

The Council considered the $4.4 billion five-year capital plan (FY27-FY31) covering 321 projects.

Dockets 0738, 0739, 0740: Loan orders and lease-purchase agreements for infrastructure, including BCYF centers, fire department renovations, and BPS projects.
Discussion: Councilor Flynn advocated for a new Blackstone School. Councilor Breadon emphasized the need for transparency in project delivery.
Outcome: Passed First Reading (Roll Call: 13-0).

FY27 BPS Operating Budget

Docket 0734: Order for the FY27 BPS Operating Budget in the amount of $1,730,000,000.
Discussion: Councilor Mejia read a letter from the BTU opposing the budget due to the elimination of 400 student-facing positions. Councilor Culpepper and Councilor Flynn argued against balancing the budget on the backs of paraprofessionals and students with disabilities. Councilor Weber and Councilor Coletta Zapata supported the budget, citing rising fixed costs and declining enrollment (3,000 students).
Outcome: Passed (Roll Call: 8-5).
Voting Yes: Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Pepén, Santana, Weber.
Voting No: Culpepper, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Worrell.

FY27 City Operating Budget - Postponement

Docket 0733: Orders for the FY27 City Operating Budget.
Action: Councilor Murphy moved to postpone the vote until June 10, 2026, citing incomplete working sessions and a lack of transparency in the amendment process. Councilor Mejia criticized the limited time (7 hours and 38 minutes) provided for deliberation.
Outcome: Postponed to June 10, 2026 (Roll Call: 10-3).
Voting No on Postponement: Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Weber.

New Ordinances, Resolutions, and Hearings

Docket 1099 & 1100: Ordinance and Resolution requiring quarterly revenue reports from the Finance Cabinet. (Referred/Adopted).
Docket 1102: Hearing to discuss the Council's budget authority under the City Charter. (Referred).
Docket 1104: Hearing to examine the elimination of the Human Rights Commission in the FY27 budget. (Referred).
Docket 1108: 17F request for information on parking meter revenue over the last 15 years. (Passed).
Docket 1110: Resolution affirming commitment to green infrastructure following the elimination of the Office of Green Infrastructure. (Adopted).
Docket 1113: Resolution calling for a federal HUD investigation into BHA elevator failures, specifically at Ruth Barkley Apartments. (Referred to Housing).