DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Transcript (~2 min @ 1:23)

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▶ 1:03 Devin Romanul: All right. If there are no objection, I'll motion by unanimous consent to close public comment. Seeing none, we are now closed for public comment. All right. Before we get into our first item, I just wanted to state for the general public and those in attendance, tonight is the first hearing for the fiscal year 2027 budget, spanning from July 1st of this year to June 30th of 2027. Just as a very quick one-minute background, the mayor has assembled and submitted a budget for the city council's consideration in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Melrose. That budget has been referred to this committee, the Committee of the Whole of the Appropriations and Oversight Committee, for consideration over the course of nine hearings over the next two months. In terms of process, what you can expect, just for the general public's edification, is that we have the power as a city council to either affirm each individual department's budget, reduce that number, or zero out that number. Those are the only choices that we as a body have. In terms of hearing structures, you'll see each individual department. Generally, the department head or sometimes a representative of a board or commission will come before us, give a brief opening statement. They have submitted policy memos to us for our consideration, and we have an opportunity to have a question and answer period before you all. Ultimately, I want to note that our schedule is online. It looks like this, if you happen to be watching on television or if you're here in the audience. And our next meeting on Monday, a few days from now, the mayor and the CFO will be joining us and giving an overview of the fiscal environment and the overall budget. So, that should be fantastic television. All right. Thank you so much for allowing me that preamble. Unless we have any other further questions or comments, Councilor Williams.

▶ 2:57 Ryan Williams: Thank you very much. I just very quickly wanted to, through the chair, mention to the councilors who are here with me tonight, and the public, that you can find the detailed budget spreadsheets in the agenda portal. And we use Munis, so you're looking for a Munis spreadsheet. And a couple of years ago, the council very helpfully requested that the mayor's office start including a little more analysis in these sheets. So, if you're looking through these budgets as we hear them in those agenda items, you will see things like what the actual expenses were for the last few years, what the projected expenses were, what the mayor is requesting for 2027, and what percent change that represents. That's it. Thank you.

▶ 3:38 Devin Romanul: Very thank you, Councilor Williams. All right. Up first, we have department number 165, and we have the Liquor Commission. I believe we're joined by Mr. Joe Nevin.