On April 3, Mayor Marty Walsh presented his budget proposal for the fiscal year of 2018 during a meeting with the Boston City Council. Should the budget be approved, it would take effect on July 1 of this year. Furthermore, the Boston Mayor also announced a capital plan later on in the month on April 13. This plan would also be initiated initiated at the beginning of the fiscal year 2018, but be realized over a span of four years and last until the fiscal year 2022.
According to the website of the City of Boston, the proposed budget results in a total of $3.14 billion. This represents an increase from the previous fiscal year’s budget of 4.8 percent, or $143.7 million.
“This proposal represents a smart, responsible, and sustainable fiscal strategy that is forward-looking and will achieve maximum impact by investing in our people,” Walsh said while presenting the new budget. “Together, we will continue to put the City of Boston in the very best possible position to thrive this coming year, and in the years ahead.”
According to the proposed plans, the areas that are to receive the biggest chunk out of the budget are education with 40 percent and public safety with 19 percent. The Mayor also explained that due to the city’s strong bond rating of AAA and plans to save costs in other areas during the fiscal year 2018, it was possible make investments in programs that benefit the citizens, such as implementing Boston’s Homeless Action Plan, improving addiction services, promoting firefighter health and safety, and a large number of others.
The presentation of this budget proposal, however, was also accompanied by criticism directed toward the White House administration’s plans for future federal spending. On the official website of the proposed budget plan, it is explained how Mayor Walsh’s administration approach the budget plan: “The City’s spending approach continues to emphasize the preservation and expansion of offerings to our most vulnerable residents, made possible by the implementation of strategic reforms.”
The description then continues, referring to President Donald Trump’s latest federal budget blueprint. “Conversely, the President’s proposed budget would eliminate valuable programs aiding some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Due to this uncertainty of possible cuts to the funding, the Mayor emphasized that the city needs continued “increased stability and strong fiscal management” in order to be able to further social programs and other essential investments.
More recently, Walsh also presented the Capital Plan for the next five years. This plan proposes the “critical investments in the City’s infrastructure in every Boston neighborhood, guided by Boston’s citywide plan, Imagine Boston 2030.” The initiatives would come to a total of $2.08 billion, and would cover areas including education, housing, climate protection, safe streets, and infrastructure. According to the City’s website, this Capital Plan “moves Boston residents’ priorities from idea to action, and invests in creating the city Bostonians imagine for the future.”
For more detailed information on the budget proposal for FY 2018 and the Capital Plan for Fy 2018 – FY 2022, go to budget.boston.gov.