Sarno announces recommended FY24 budget proposal

May 23, 2023 | Tyler Garnet
tgarnet@thereminder.com

Mayor Sarno, Deputy CAFO Lindsay Hackett and City Councilor Tim Allen discuss the recommended FY24 budget on May 18.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet

SPRINGFIELD — On May 18, Mayor Domenic Sarno announced his recommended fiscal year 2024 budget totals $877.9 million, which represents a 7.2% increase over the FY23 adopted budget.

The increase is due to the 9.7% increase in Chapter 70 State Aid to support Springfield Public Schools. The school department budget increased 7.9% overall, leaving the city side growth at 5.8%.

“My administration has been tested and true in the face of adversity and continues to rise to the occasion for the betterment of our city and the community that we love. I am proud of the efforts by the entire Springfield team from cabinet heads and department heads to our dedicated city employees who work hard for our residents and business community every day,” Sarno said.

Sarno added this is the ninth consecutive year that the budget has been balanced without having to take from the stabilization or reserve funds which he and his team is proud of.

The city’s stabilization reserve account sits at over $50 million.

Sarno said, “While we are fiscally stronger than we have ever been, we are cognizant of the looming threat of a potential recession in the near future and the financial hardships many of our citizens are facing.”

The FY24 budget will continue funding programs and services from FY23.
He added, “To continue providing for the residents of Springfield, the FY24 recommended budget maintains and supports all current programming, and places a continued emphasis on public safety, public education, economic development, healthy neighborhoods and community services. We have committed to producing a budget that continues to fund and maintain core services and personnel, while investing in additional services in a responsible and strategic manner in order to meet the needs of our residents.”

Sarno announced additional services in the budget that include an expansion of East Forest Park Library’s hours, additional hours for the East Forest Park Library and Mason Square Library Community Rooms, increased outreach funding for our Health Department and Emergency Communications Department, creation of the ROCA Clean Sweep Initiative, and an additional 17 preschool classrooms in public schools across the city.

Sarno said, “I am proud that my administration has once again put forth a sustainable, fair and balanced budget that will continue to provide core city services, enhance key initiatives and programs, and continue to provide much-needed tax relief for our residents thanks to my innovated investment strategy and our sounds fiscal management policies that have guided our city through numerous natural and man-made disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the constant challenges of economic uncertainty.”

Some notable investments in the FY24 budget include continued work at DeBerry Discover High School, Lincoln Elementary School and Brightwood Elementary School, continued funding of the Sidewalk Crew and core services like trash pick-up and street sweepers, economic development, education, elder affairs, health and human services, libraries, parks and recreation, TJO, Veteran Services and public safety.

Sarno also added that after lengthy negotiations he was able to settle contract with the Police and Fire departments.

Sarno also announced that the city leveraged this success into future earnings by investing $45 million from the city’s stabilization reserve account into 1-year U.S. Treasury notes, capitalizing on interest rates of approximately 5%.
This will bring the city more than $2 million in returns to be directed towards lowering tax bills in FY24, providing financial relief for citizens.

Sarno added, “The city of Springfield was the first community in the Commonwealth to take advantage of this innovative financial investment strategy, and I am proud of the commitment we are able to make to our citizens without compromising our commitment to financial excellence.”
The budget announcement kicks off a series of hearings and community presentations.

Springfield City Council President Jesse Lederman has announced the City Council’s process to review the proposed FY24 budget.

The Council process will include three budget hearings where the City Council will hear testimony from members of the Finance Department and Department Heads and answer questions at three community presentations where the Chief Financial Officer will present details of the budget and receive public comment, a virtual public speak-out opportunity, and three special meetings of the City Council where formal votes on the budget will be considered.

There will be a whole initial budget presentation broadcasted live via Focus Springfield on Tuesday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 30.

Departments presenting on May 30 include the School Department, mayor, City Council, city clerk, Board of Elections, finance, 311, Capital Asset Construction, employee benefits, Human Resources & Labor Relations, Law Department, Office of Procurement, Parks, Facilities Management and DPW.

The community budget presentation and public speak out event will take place on Wednesday, June 7, Thursday, June 8 and Thursday, June 15 at 6 p.m. at East Forest Park Branch Library, 136 Surrey Rd., Brightwood Branch Library, 359 Plainfield St., Rebecca Johnson School, 55 Catherine St. respectively.
The Committee of the Whole will host a virtual public speak out on Tuesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. with a Special Meeting to vote on the proposed budget taking place afterwards.

Those wishing to participate in the Virtual Public Speak-Out on June 20 can sign up online through the City Council’s website www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/council/public-speak-out , or contact the City Council Office at 413-787-6170.

There are two special meeting dates for the budget vote if needed on June 21 and June 27.

Lederman said the mayor must file a proposed budget with the City Council within 170 days of the council’s organizational meeting.

He added the City Council can approve, reduce or reject appropriations made in the proposed budget, but cannot increase appropriations in the proposed budget without recommendation of the mayor.

The City Council must act on the recommended appropriations within 45 days or else the mayor’s proposed budget automatically goes into effect.

All budget meetings are open to the public, and all hearings and votes will also be broadcast via Focus Springfield on Springfield Cable Channel 17 and the Springfield Municipal Meetings YouTube Page.

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