Mayor Martin J. Walsh resubmitted his Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) budget, which builds on the Walsh Administration’s record of presenting a balanced, sustainable and proactive budget investing in the needs of our growing city. The $3.29 billion recommended budget represents an increase of $139 million, or 4.4 percent, over the FY18 budget, and the budget resubmission follows 28 City Council hearings that helped identify opportunities for further targeted investments, and it is an opportunity to capture additional cost-savings.
In this budget resubmission, funding for city services, such as streets, parks, public health and public safety will grow by $43 million, including $12 million in new data-driven investments, and funding for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) will grow by $51 million.
“This budget upholds our city’s values and priorities and is a reflection of our leadership position in growing a middle class through strong 21st century schools, good jobs and affordable homes in safe neighborhoods,” said Mayor Walsh. “By investing in the strong foundation we’ve been able to achieve through strategic management of the city’s finances, I am proud that we are able to continue making record investments in advancing the prosperity of our city, our people and our collective future.”
As part of the budget resubmission, Mayor Walsh is proposing to further invest in key initiatives, including:
- Expanding Universal Pre-Kindergarten for over 80 new quality seats, as a result of continued advocacy at the state level that is expected to result in an increase from initial projections for Charter School reimbursement;
- Doubling the Youth Development Grant Program to $500,000 to promote conflict resolution skills to musical training to athletic programming, all with a spotlight on self-esteem promotion.
- New funding to support the Elder Nutrition Program, to meet the demand in preventing malnutrition for seniors and backfill declining state and federal resources;
- New city funded position at the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement to work on the frontlines of supporting new Bostonians, and effectively engage and serve immigrant residents and their families;
- New mounted park ranger to better serve our city parks and complement the new ranger position, which is also part of the the FY19 budget;
- New equity and inclusion staff for the Office of Economic Development;
- New funding for workplace sensitivity training that will support expanded training on racial and gender bias, sexual harassment and employee awareness.
These additional investments are made possible as a result of debt service savings realized as a result of the city’s recently renewed AAA bond rating. They are also made possible through continued advocacy at the State level that has resulted in additional Charter School Reimbursement and Chapter 70 funding included in the FY2019 House and Senate budgets. The above additions of the budget resubmission complement investments in the Mayor’s FY19 budget proposal, a plan that affirms a commitment to progress, opportunity and innovation by investing in Boston’s neighborhoods. A few of those highlights include:
- Adding new public safety personnel and equipment, including police and 20 police cadets, EMTs and firefighters to keep our residents safe and to respond to the City’s increase of new residents and commuters. In addition, $2 million has been allocated towards a phase-in of police body cameras, and investments in new fire engines, fire houses and new ambulances.
- Making a permanent establishment of Boston’s Engagement Center, providing space for participants to connect with recovery support services and get connected with housing services offered by the City and partners.
- Allocating $5 million in new revenue towards transportation projects by increasing certain parking fines that will effectively influence good driving practices and reduce congestion in high-traffic areas.
- Investing in the implementation of Community Choice Aggregation and single-use bags that will lower emissions, in addition to purchasing a deployable floodwall for the East Boston Greenway to help mitigate damage related to coastal storms.
- Doubling the size of the Department of Neighborhood Development down payment assistance program to $1 million, allowing dozens of middle-class families to access zero-interest loans to cover down payments.
As part of the budget resubmission, Mayor Walsh is recommending the adoption of a Boston Public Schools budget of $1.112 billion, representing a $3.5 million increase over the initial proposal of $1.109 billion, a $51 million increase over FY18, and marking the largest proposed BPS budget in the city’s history. This increase in funding will be directed towards expanding universal pre-kindergarten for over 80 new quality seats in FY19. The City of Boston’s allocation to BPS has increased by $175 million, or 19 percent, over the past five years.
Mayor Walsh’s FY19 budget continues to invest in preserving and creating a strong middle class and creating opportunities for all those who live in Boston. The FY19 budget supports Boston’s long-term plan, Imagine Boston 2030.
