Executive Summary
The Somerville Finance Committee met on June 23, 2026, for "Cut Night" to deliberate on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The Committee ultimately voted 8-1 to recommend approval of the $376,778,493 General Fund operating budget. Throughout the meeting, several resolutions were passed requesting additional funding for specific areas, including a 10% raise for crossing guards, the reinstatement of a home visitor position in the "summer baby" program, and the restoration of the Racial and Social Justice Department. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the administration's decision not to fund six additional school positions requested by the School Committee, with some councilors citing the city's $5 million deficit and recent layoffs as the primary reasons for supporting the budget as presented.
Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Finance Committee Chair Ben Wheeler. A roll call was conducted to establish a quorum.
- Present: Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Link, Councilor Scott, Councilor Clingan, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Sait, Councilor Davis, Councilor Wheeler, Councilor Hardt, Councilor McLaughlin, and Councilor Mbah.
- Absent: Councilor Burnely, Councilor Pitone (Note: Quorum was established with nine members initially present).
Agenda Item 1: Review of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Chair Wheeler provided an overview of the budget review process, noting that councilors submitted over 100 questions to departments.
- Action: No outstanding questions were raised by the committee members regarding the general review of the budget before moving to the submission of orders.
Agenda Item 2.1: Licensing Commission Salary Resolution
Councilor Strezo introduced a resolution to increase the salaries of the Licensing Commission, noting they have not received an increase since 2012.
- Resolution: "That the collective salaries of licensing commissioners be increased to $15,180 with the chair receiving $5,180 and licensing commissioners two and three receiving $5,000 each annually."
- Discussion: Budget Director Mike Mastroboni noted the administration's intent to review all boards and commissions through the Municipal Compensation Advisory Board.
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
Agenda Item 2.2: Youth Development Services Grants (Teen Empowerment)
Councilor Link introduced a resolution regarding funding for Teen Empowerment due to concerns over potential service interruptions.
- Resolution: "That the administration add $400,000 in funding for youth development services grants so that teen empowerment may have full funding."
- Discussion: Budget Director Mastroboni and the Mayor clarified that two RFPs had already closed with Teen Empowerment as the sole bidder, and awards were scheduled for the following day. Councilor Scott criticized the "dribs and drabs" funding approach but acknowledged the administration's authority.
- Outcome: Withdrawn by Councilor Link.
Resolutions for Additional Funding
Several new resolutions were introduced and voted upon by the committee:
- Summer Baby Program: Councilor Strezo moved to reinstate a cut position.
- Resolution: "That the funding for the previously cut home visitor position within the summer baby program be reinstated through Health and Human Services and be inclusive of postpartum care."
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
- Out-of-School Time (OST) Programming: Councilor Strezo requested funding for early-release days.
- Resolution: "That the administration allocate $20,000 to support teens on early release Wednesday with additional out-of-school time programming."
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
- Crossing Guard Salaries: Councilor Link proposed a salary increase.
- Resolution: "That the crossing guards receive a 10% raise in the FY2027 budget."
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
- Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Department: Councilor Mbah moved to restore the department's original focus and staffing.
- Resolution: "That the administration restore the funding for the cut positions in the racial and social justice department and restore funding towards the mission of the racial and social justice department."
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
- Small Business Stabilization Fund: Councilor Mbah proposed utilizing existing funds for local procurement education.
- Resolution: "That the administration utilize a small business stabilization fund in FY2027 to infuse spending to local small businesses and educate them on how to use these funds."
- Outcome: Approved by General Affirmation.
Agenda Item 6.1: FY 2027 General Fund Operating Budget Appropriation
The committee deliberated on the Mayor's request for the appropriation of $376,778,493 to fund the FY 2027 General Fund operating budget.
- Discussion:
- Councilor Scott stated he would vote "No" to protest the administration's refusal to fund six additional school positions requested by the School Committee, calling it a choice between "acquiesce or act."
- Councilor Ewen-Campen supported the budget, noting that while he respects the School Committee, the city faces a $5 million deficit and has already undergone layoffs: "I could not possibly look at those folks in the face and say, well, it turns out actually we do have an extra million dollars lying around."
- Councilor McLaughlin echoed these sentiments, stating, "I'd be reinstating the 13 positions before I was creating new positions... You can't bleed a rock."
- Vote Outcome: Approved 8-1.
- In Favor: Councilors Ewen-Campen, Link, Strezo, Sait, Wheeler, Hardt, McLaughlin, and Mbah.
- Against: Councilor Scott.
- Recused: Councilors Davis and Clingan (due to the discussion involving school-specific funding).
Discharge of Remaining Items
Councilor Davis moved to discharge the remaining appropriation requests (Items 3.1 through 5.4) to the full City Council meeting on Thursday.
- Action: Items 3.1 through 5.4 were discharged without recommendation by General Affirmation.