ResiStat Recap: The FY2014 Budget

Ward 5 continued our streak of well-attended ResiStat meetings last night at the Kennedy School where 50-60 residents braved the flash flood warnings to hear presentations on topics ranging from the city’s FY2014 budget to the Green Line Extension.

Starting off the evening, Mayor Joe Curtatone gave details on how the FY2014 budget was developed, highlighting the possibility of increased funding to Somerville Schools and how State Funding has dropped significantly in the past ten years, forcing cities and towns to make cuts that Somerville has been able to avoid thanks to frugal spending and the move to the Group Insurance Commission-which is slated to save the City over $10million next year.

The FY2014 budget is set at $195,746,045 - a $10,748,712 (5.8%) increase from FY2013. According to the Mayor's presentation, the School Department gets the biggest piece of the pie with Overlay Reserve, Other, Culture and Recreation tying for the least amount at 1% each.

The next recap in this series will be an overview on the Inspectional Services Department's presentation on rats including tips on how to evict them from your property!