Council Hears $1.04 Billion City Budget Plan

Select Board · Meeting of May 18, 2026

Springfield's City Council reviewed a $1.04 billion fiscal 2027 budget, up 5.4 percent, with no layoffs despite 19 eliminated positions since 2026. Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Kathy Bono said the plan "maintains all current services" and relies on $75 million in reserves, while property tax levies are projected to rise 5.7 percent and state aid, 63 percent of city revenue, rose 6 percent. Police Superintendent Akers presented a $63,970,301 budget covering 600 employees after cutting five unfilled positions for about $400,000 in savings.

School Superintendent Sonia Genal's $708,789,645 budget cut transportation costs 1.4 percent, the first such reduction Councilor Fenton said he's seen in 17 years, crediting Chief Pat Roach's team. City Solicitor Stephen Bonacani warned a pending case could expose the city to $20 million. No votes were taken.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• [00:07:56] — Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Kathy Bono
• [00:33:47] — Police Superintendent Akers
• [01:10:35] — Councilor Fenton
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Springfield's community access TV: Select Board meeting, May 18, 2026
• The complete report: 859 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of May 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.