Quincy City Council Finance Committee: June 10, 2026

• Date: June 10, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council Finance Committee
• Type of Meeting: Finance Committee Budget Hearing
• Attendees: Councilor Anne Mahoney (Chair), Councilor Maggie McKee, Councilor Virginia Ryan, Councilor David Jacobs, Councilor Ziqiang Yuan, Councilor Walter Hubley, Councilor Noel DiBona, Councilor Richard Ash, and Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative).

The Committee heard from the Executive Director of the Quincy Historical Society regarding their stewardship of the Adams Academy and their role in city preservation projects.

• Key Discussion Points:
  • The Society provides the only year-round comprehensive presentation of Quincy's history.
  • The Society serves as a consultant on city projects, including the John Adams and John Hancock statues and the Hancock-Adams Common.
  • Financials: The hotel-motel tax has generated $1,886,694 in revenue to date for the current fiscal year, with 15% allocated to tourism and historical costs.
  • Action: No vote was taken as the Committee requested further clarification on retirement and benefit costs for the Executive Director position, estimated between $4,000 and $5,000.

Patricia McGowan, Director of Human Resources, presented the FY27 budgets for HR and Health Insurance.

• Human Resources (Line 152):
  • Budget: $674,668 (an increase of $23,276).
  • Action: A motion to cut overtime by $1,000 failed. The budget was approved as presented.
• Health Insurance:
  • Budget: $66,905,601 (an increase of $2,316,621).
  • GLP-1 Medications: Director McGowan noted that GLP-1 medications for weight loss cost the city $3.3 million in 2025 and are projected to cost $5 million in 2026. Consequently, the city will drop this benefit effective July 1st.
  • Medicare Refunds: Budgeted at $2.9 million to reimburse approximately 2,400 retirees for 55% of their Medicare Part B premiums.
  • Action on Life Insurance (Line 570808): Councilor Yuan's motion to cut $70,000 failed (4-4 tie). Councilor McKee's motion to reduce the line to $640,000 passed. The Health Insurance budget was approved as amended.

Commissioner Murphy presented the Cemetery Division budget, highlighting the expansion of Pine Hill Cemetery.

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Vacancies exist for a Heavy MEO and a Mason. The department is struggling to fill the Mason position due to salary constraints.
  • Action on Tool Allowance (Line 510192): Councilor McKee's motion to cut the allowance to $1,200 passed.
  • Action on Staffing: Councilor Yuan's motion to eliminate the Heavy MEO position (Line 512438) failed. The Cemetery budget was approved as amended.

The Parks budget includes funding for forestry, park maintenance, and the Furnacebrook Golf Course.

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Furnacebrook Golf Course: Expected to generate $1.4 million in revenue for FY26, with a projected operating surplus of $350,000.
  • Tree Planting: The city received a $750,000 federal grant for tree planting, supplementing the $300,000 city appropriation.
  • CDL/Hoisting Stipends: A new stipend ($5/hr for CDL, $1/hr for hoisting) was implemented to retain and recruit licensed drivers.
  • Action on Tool Allowance (Line 510192): Councilor Jacobs' motion to reduce the line to $3,000 passed. The Parks budget was approved as amended.

Director Christopher Rooney presented a level-funded budget for the Recreation Department.

• Key Discussion Points:
  • The department manages over 65 summer clinics and 14 free playgrounds.
  • Staffing includes 187 part-time leaders, peaking at 275 during the summer.
  • Action: The Recreation budget was approved as presented.