DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Transcript (~5 min @ 24:52)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 24:44 Mark Garipay: Second. We have a motion to approve by Councilor Finocchiaro, seconded by Councilor Williams. On discussion, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Those minutes are approved. Okay, we're gonna be moving on to budget presentations. Um, we're gonna go over each department, and you have the list in front of you. Uh, I'm gonna invite the mayor. I think the mayor wants to say a few words first. Um, so we'll invite, uh, the mayor up to speak, and then we'll move into the budget, budget presentations.

▶ 25:16 Jen Grigoraitis: Thank you, Chair Garipay and councilors. Um-

▶ 25:19 Mark Garipay: Like the timing? Hm? Like the timing?

▶ 25:22 Jen Grigoraitis: (laughs) You can t-... I'll be quick, I promise. (laughs) Um, I, you know, listening to some of the folks in public comment, I just wanna reflect on what a difference two years can make. I know we have been together on what has been a very challenging journey since the start of all of our terms, and it is really exciting to be at this moment to see our ability to make some investments in our shared community after what has been two very challenging budget cycles. Um, what you have before you tonight is a supplemental budget in response to voters overwhelmingly approving the override that was on the ballot on November 4th to add $13.5 million to the tax levy. Um, before we talk a little bit more very high level about what you'll hear in more detail from department heads, I do want to first thank the residents of Melrose for entrusting us with their tax dollars. I want to thank this council for being a partner in that process, as well as the school committee. And I want to thank the City Hall staff and school leadership who you see here tonight who have worked for the past two years having things reduced, taken away, having to tell residents, "We can't do that. We don't have the money for that." And then, in the six business days in between the election and when we put this order down before you, worked really hard to bring things back. So, it is a team effort, and I want to thank their hard work that often happens behind the scenes. Um, the question that was approved by voters, I just want to read it so we all have that frame, is that, "Shall the City of Melrose be allowed to assess an additional 13.5 million in property taxes for the purposes of funding 17 school, five public works, and two police officer positions, salary and benefits, city and school employee union contracts and benefits, school technology and curriculum needs, public works senior center, veteran's services and library programs, and repairs and maintenance to roads, sidewalks, buildings, and parks for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025." That language is important because what we are doing now is to comply with state law. Money can only be appropriated to those items outlined in the question. So, there are many priorities of many of you, of me, of many residents. What is before us is in response to the question that was placed on the ballot that you all approved back in the spring. The question was informed by the work of the Finance Task Force, with myself and city councilors, and Ms. Golden representing the city side, and Mr. Kelly, then-Superintendent Diletti, and school committee members representing the school side. So there are 17 school positions because that is what we were asked to include in the question. There are five public works because that is what I wanted to see included in the question on the city side. So that is the frame for this supplemental budget, is what is in response to what was listed in the question. There are... The capital projects that are listed have all been previously identified through public processes, most notic- Recording in progress. ... most noti- most notably the Capital Improvement Plan, which was last produced in 2022. Um, I want to highlight that the high school bathroom renovation has been a project that has been ready to go but lacking a funding source for at least the past three years. It is the only remaining project in our top 10 most needed capital projects that we have not yet been able to fund. Um, you also see projects like the Howard Street speed tables, which we've previously applied for and been unsuccessful in obtaining grant funding for, and lighting at the Milano Center, which was actually funded through a state earmark, which was then reduced in a previous state budget cut. So, we are really focused on bringing back what was taken away within the confines of the question. Also, just to frame the role of the City Council, which I know you all know, this is part one of this process, which is to move money back into department lines. Under state law, the school department will hear a presentation from the superintendent at a later date to then determine how money moved into the bottom line of the school committee. School budget will be appropriated within that line. So, you know, we've got to move through things in order. That's where we are. Um, this, the timeline is being driven by setting our tax rate on December 1st because we need to know what is the total budget in order for us to produce tax bills. Um, so I know you will then hear from department heads who can answer more specific questions, but I just wanted to provide that high-level overview and again just say what a pleasure it is to be here tonight and how grateful I am to this community for helping us move things forward.