New Haven Finance Committee finalizes $703M budget for 2025-2026 fiscal year

The New Haven Full Board of Alders made significant strides in budget planning during their meeting on May 27, 2025, focusing on the proposed $703.7 million general fund budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The finance committee's amendments aimed to balance the budget while addressing critical community needs.

Alder members discussed the appropriating ordinance number 1, which outlines funding for essential city services, including pension payments, office supplies, and infrastructure repairs. The finance committee's review revealed necessary corrections to the mayor's original budget proposal, resulting in a decrease in expenditures by over $3 million and a reduction in revenues by $1.4 million. This led to a surplus of $1.77 million, which the committee proposed to allocate to various budget lines, including food aid and neighborhood infrastructure projects.

Alder members expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts throughout the budget process, highlighting the contributions of city staff and the finance committee. Notable changes included the removal of three positions from the finance department, generating additional savings that were redirected to support community initiatives.

As the board moved to approve the amended budget, discussions also touched on the allocation of funds to the Board of Education, with some members voicing strong opposition to certain amendments. The meeting underscored the importance of community input and the collaborative nature of the budget process, setting the stage for the city's financial operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.