Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Lowell manager presents $617.4M FY2026 budget; superintendent, parents warn school cuts would hit students
Summary
City Manager presented a $617,355,830 FY2026 budget and proposed tax and utility rate increases; Lowell Public Schools officials and parents urged the council to restore about $4 million in city cash after proposed reductions that would cut frontline school staff and programs.
City Manager presented the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on May 13, asking the City Council to accept the timely submission and begin deliberations on a $617,355,830 spending plan and proposing a 2.5% levy increase, a 6% water rate increase and a 15% sewer rate increase.
The budget presentation said the city’s general fund total is $617,355,830, an increase of 5.9% from last year, and outlined a rainy-day balance that has risen from about $13,900,000 to roughly $17.1 million. The manager told the council the plan is intended to “prepare for future uncertainty” and reduce reliance on one‑time stabilization draws.
The budget quickly became a focal point for public testimony. Liam Skinner, superintendent of Lowell Public Schools, told the council the school department did not request an increase in city cash and described the practical effects of…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
